South Circle scores in sad circumstances

The Thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle proved a dramatic event with a sad sequel as South Circle scored under Rachael Blackmore. Thats Nice looked the obvious one but there were warning signals in the market on track as the hot-favourite drifted from 1/6 out to 1/3 as the Liam Lennon-trained South Circle went the other direction into 11/4 (from 9/2).

Barry Geraghty was nudging along the hot-pot to try and keep in touch with a circuit to go, and was getting no response under a strong drive after four out.

The 1/3 favourite did make some progress to go second before the penultimate flight but Geraghty pulled him up quickly and dismounted after that hurdle when about five lengths off the pace.

He was subsequently put down having severed a tendon.

Meanwhile South Circle led approaching the straight for Blackmore, and was left to come home 19 lengths clear of long-time leader Sussex Road

Lennon said, "She was unlucky a few times in point to points and also had a bit of leg trouble. She has always been a nice filly though and Mark O'Hare does the schooling on her and said she could go straight chasing now.

"She is owned by her breeder William Anderson, a local pig farmer in Scarvagh."

Blackmore said, "I rode her one day in a point-to-point and she was going to win when falling at the last but Mark O'Hare got a point-to-point win on her, and I'm delighted they put me back up on her. She got close to a few hurdles but there was no major trouble."

(TW & AM)