Nine Graces wins consecutive races

Nine Graces (11/5f) signed off for the season with a second consecutive success today, easily landing Ballinrobe's BoyleSports (Mares) Handicap Hurdle for owner/trainer Barry Connell and jockey Michael O'Sullivan.

The daughter of Kapgarde previously won her maiden hurdle at Punchestown in February and today won eased down, with a rating of 112, from Ladiam

Connell commented “we pencilled in this mares' race after she won her maiden because she wants soft ground and we thought there would be a good chance of getting it here. It is very soft out there and it's taking a lot of getting so we said we'd keep five or six wide for the better ground.

"She's very simple to ride, I just told Michael (O'Sullivan) to take his time because only two horses got home in the two-mile race, before this one. When it gets testing here, they walk.”

He added “she's a mare that loves jumping - we ran her in three bumpers and she kept getting worse with every run. She's totally different with an obstacle in front of her.

"I'd say that'll be it for the season and she's a nice prospect for those mares' hurdle races on soft ground next autumn/winter.

“I don't see why she wouldn't jump a fence in time, she has plenty of scope."

Quotes from Mark Nunan