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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Blackthorn Prince completes 3-mile hat-trick

Thu 27th Oct 2016, 16:43

Blackthorn Prince (left) and Trade Marked are in the air together at the lastBlackthorn Prince (left) and Trade Marked are in the air together at the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Blackthorn Prince completed a hat-trick in three-mile handicaps when justifying favouritism in the www.grahamnorris.com Memorial Handicap Hurdle, and in the process provided Barry Geraghty with a double on the day at Clonmel.

The Enda Bolger-trained gelding, who also won a point-to-point at Cragmore earlier this year, started his winning run over hurdles at Ballinrobe in August and followed up over this course and distance last month.

The well-backed 2/1 favourite challenged before two out and, while Trade Marked appeared the more likely winner jumping the last, the J P McManus-owned winner found much more under pressure on the run-in.

Three quarters of a length separated the pair at the line to supply Geraghty, successful earlier on Mick Jazz with his double. Kilkishen was a further five lengths away in third.

Bolger said, "It's great to win three in a row with any horse and there's another one of these here again at the next meeting. It's 0-140 and over three miles and he likes the course.

"He's a good battler and the ground is a big help to him so we'll leave going chasing until after Christmas."

(TW & AM)

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.