The Paddy Cronin trained chestnut Naturally Blond gained a long overdue first career win at Tramore today, landing the www.tramore-racecourse.com Maiden Hurdle under jockey Pierce Gallagher.

The son of Bach was today backed from 7/1 this morning and from 7/2 on-track in to 11/4 second-favourite and in the end made all for a length and three parts win over Novano

An overjoyed Cronin later said “it's great to be talking to you and I'm a long time waiting with him!

“I’m delighted with him, every time he runs, he runs well and brings home money nearly everyday. He’s the only horse I have for the track although I have a point-to-pointer running tomorrow at Kinsale.”

He added “we schooled him over fences at Jim Culloty's on Thursday and he'll make a great chaser I'd say and will go chasing soon. I'm fierce lucky as I have great facilities near me in Jim Culloty's and the O'Flynn family's place near Buttevant."

Naturally Blond had previously finished second five times (once on his only point to point start) and third thrice, from 18 previous runs.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Donal Murphy