J.P. and Ted land Tramore gamble

Buachaillbocht improved on two 'stinking runs' last season when landing a gamble on reappearance today, winning Tramore's 2024 Group Package Deals Online Handicap Hurdle for owner J.P. McManus, jockey Mark Walsh and trainer Ted Walsh.

Translated in Irish as 'poor boy', blue-blooded Buachaillbocht is a son of Constitution Hill's sire Blue Bresil and while beaten a cumulative 224 lengths in three maiden hurdles last winter, today shaped like a racehorse from his lowly 87 rating.

Racing mid-field, Buachaillbocht zoomed up to challenge in the dip and while showing the same greeness as a two-year-old once leading, held recent winner Kiln Time by three-parts of a length.

Generally a 7/1 chance this morning and returned 3/1 favourite, Buachaillbocht's trainer Walsh commented “he ran well first time out but then ran two stinkers. He went home then and didn't run for nine months so he hopefully he can progress.

"I got a bit worried when all the hurdles were taken out (due to the low sun) as he's a good jumper.

“With a bit of luck he can put it together again and win another one. He jumps well and idled a bit today but he beat the horse (Kiln Time) he had to beat.”

Quotes from Donal Murphy