Henry de Bromhead enjoyed a one-two in the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel, as Monty’s Star booked his Cheltenham ticket in claiming a first career victory ahead of better-fancied stablemate Hiddenvalley Lake.
Monty’s Star had finished second in a Navan maiden on his jumping debut last month, subsequently coming into the Clonmel Grade Three as a 7-1 chance under Sean Flanagan with Hiddenvalley Lake the 8-13 favourite.
Under Rachael Blackmore Hiddenvalley Lake led at a canter as Monty’s Star stayed in his slipstream until the field turned for home.
The pair then locked horns over the final two flights, with Monty’s Star winning the battle to discard his maiden tag in prevailing by half a length on the line, giving Flanagan a second winner back since his return from a back injury suffered in a heavy fall at Thurles in October.
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6 Comments
Not so long ago Blackmore was chasing Townend at the top end of Irish jocks. Unfortunately, she has slipped back so much she is now just one of the pack. Of course nobody is ever going to admit to that. There was a time when she would take a race like this by the scruff of the neck, effectively winning the race 'out in the country'. That never seems to happen now. All she has done here is give the other two a nice toe into the race, in the process making three or four serious bungles. She also looks exposed in finish which is another reason to be more positive during a race. I wouldn't be rushing to back any of her mounts at the Festival.
💵🤑💸
Terrible paceless race, poor for a Grade 2
Wonder if SF will get the leg up on Indo at Cheltenham
Henry looks absolutely distraught. What a credit to himself even being able to give a post race interview.
Can somone explain how Monty's Star was slashed from 40/1 to around 9/1 for the AB after this race where he was getting 6lbs?? Hiddenvalley Lake then was pushed out to 10s and Corbett's Cross who didn't even run went in to 8/1 as well. The market is bonkers. Sure Shanbally kid beat Monty's Star last time and is there at 20/1….makes no sense