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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Mortal and Blackmore win a thriller

Sat 1st Dec 2018, 12:57

Mortal locked together with Any Second NowMortal locked together with Any Second Now
© Photo Healy Racing

Fairyhouse's Winter Festival got off to a sensational start as Mortal beat Any Second Now after a titanic struggle in the beginners' chase.

Mortal led turning in for this extended two mile five test as Any Second Now moved into a threatening position in second.

Any Second Now drew alongside his rival after the penultimate fence and the pair were locked together jumping the last.

Any Second Now took a narrow lead for Mark Walsh on the run-in but Mortal battle back gamely under Rachael Blackmore to get up by a neck in the closing stages.

The winner was returned at 10/1 having attracted plenty of support in the morning at 14/1. The runner-up went off 5/2 joint favourite. The leading protagonists drew 15 lengths clear of Cherokee Bill at 20/1.

Trainer Joseph O’Brien said: ‘He won very easy first time out and we loved him. He didn’t win his maiden hurdle, although I always pitched him in deep enough because we thought plenty of him.

“Chasing was always going to be his game and he jumped well and Rachael gave him a lovely ride. I didn’t think I had enough done with him to win first time but they didn’t go very quick and that probably helped. I’d say he has a big engine.

“He’s an exciting horse to go over a trip, and he’s bred to do the business. He’s probably a three-miler. The Grade 1 at Christmas would be a big ask but we’ll see how he is between now and then.”

This victory put Rachael Blackmore on 61 winners - one ahead of Paul Townend in the National Hunt Jockeys' Championship.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.