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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Blissful has his Moment over fences

Wed 5th Feb 2014, 14:03

Blissful Moment (Paul Carberry) jumping the last Blissful Moment (Paul Carberry) jumping the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Blissful Moment had proved mainly disappointing over fences although a staying on second at Thurles last month did offer some hope and Noel Meade’s charge duly opened his account over the larger obstacles in the opening three-mile handicap chase at Down Royal.

The seven-year-old gelding, twice successful on the Flat for Sir Michael Stoute and also winner of a maiden hurdle for present connections at Navan just over a year ago, was patiently ridden by Paul Carberry.

The conditions proved very testing with just five of the ten runners completing the course - Zekarya (lame) and Hold Em Cowboy (ground) were both non-runners.

However Carberry’s mount coped better than most with the heavy ground, and the 7/1 chance led before two out and kept on well on the run-in to beat well-backed 7/4 favourite Witness Of Fashion by a length and three quarters. More Madness could find no extra in the closing stages a further length adrift in third.

Meade said, “He probably likes the very heavy ground. It slows the rest of them down. He’s been a very disappointing horse. We gave a lot of money for him out of Michael Stoute's.

“It was a pretty ordinary race he won today, and that’s what he is. I’m delighted he won and maybe with a bit of luck he can win another one.

“We had hoped that he would make a top hurdler as he has a great make and shape to him. But he has his own ideas and he’s suffered with some wind problems."

Carberry said, “It’s taken him a while to get used to jumping fences. He’s a little bit careful, and he was a bit slow at one or two today. The ground is heavy but it’s loose.”

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.