Jeremys Flame cashes in for Cromwell as Blackmore exits in final-fence drama

Saturday: Naas

If ever a horse deserved to win a chase at Graded level it was Jeremys Flame, but not many could have predicted it would be in a race that ended as chaotically as the Barberstown Castle Poplar Square Chase.

It was supposed to be a straightforward seasonal bow for odds-on favourite Gentleman De Mee at the main expense of Coeur Sublime, and for much of the way it looked as though that would be the outcome.

Between the last two fences though, Gentleman De Mee began to tire, leaving Coeur Sublime in front but with Jeremys Flame running on towards the far side. The two came to the last upsides, but Coeur Sublime did not get high enough and crumpled on landing, sending Rachael Blackmore flying from the saddle and leaving the Gavin Cromwell-trained mare to come home alone under Luke Dempsey. Gentleman De Mee was badly hampered and unseated Mark Walsh when back in third.

There is every chance that Jeremys Flame would have won anyway, although Cromwell took a little convincing. He said: "There is a chance she would have, I don't know."

He added: "She's been on the receiving end of some bad luck in her time so I'm glad she has finally won a Graded race. She has buckets of black type but winning one is great. The plan had been to go to Clonmel but with the heavy ground there we stuck her in here, but we will probably stick to mares' chases and I wouldn't rule out going to Cheltenham."

How the drama unfolded

Coeur Sublime collides with the final fence when holding the lead from Jeremy's FlameCredit: Patrick McCann

Coeur Sublime and jockey Rachael Blackmore tumble to the ground leaving Jeremys Flame in the clearCredit: Patrick McCann

Mark Walsh and odds-on favourite Gentleman De Mee, beaten at the time, take evasive action to avoid the fallen horse and jockeyCredit: Patrick McCann

But Walsh's efforts are to no avail as he exits the saddle, costing the pair second placeCredit: Patrick McCann

Mixed day for De Bromhead

It was very much a day of highs and lows for Coeur Sublime's trainer Henry de Bromhead, whose promising young chaser Grand Jury suffered a broken leg in the beginners' chase won by Three Stripe Life.

Earlier, the strapping Hiddenvalley Lake was a decisive winner of the 2m3f maiden hurdle in the Robcour colours, while Watch House Cross roared back to form when making all to just hold on in the Grade B Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle.

Both were ridden by Rachael Blackmore, who went on to suffer falls in all three chases on the card. Despite cutting a dejected and probably quite sore figure after the third of those falls, she still had time for a selfie and an autograph for a young fan.

Bigger targets for Brazil

Fred Winter winner Brazil continues to go the right way and victory over odds-on favourite Fil Dor in the Grade 3 Fishery Lane Hurdle under Mark Walsh probably earns him the right to be trained as a Champion Hurdle horse.

Admittedly he has a lot to find to be competitive, but maybe the same could have been said of the last JP McManus-owned horse to win this race – Espoir D'Allen in 2018.

Trainer Padraig Roche was quick to pour cold water on any of those aspirations, saying: “Brazil is a real stayer and a lovely horse to have. The other horse making a mistake two out helped us.”

Results and analysis

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