'We'll try something in Galway now' - Dermot O'Brien aims high with Molly Wedger

Thursday: Killarney

The Galway festival is calling again for two-horse trainer Dermot O’Brien and his classy mare Molly Wedger after she landed her fourth victory in the 2m4f mares' hurdle.

She probably found 2m1f too short at Bellewstown last time but relished the return to this trip to beat the hat-trick-seeking Hollymount by two and a half lengths, sparking scenes of jubilation in the winner's enclosure for her large band of owners.

Partnered by Brian Hayes, the eight-year-old's win never looked in doubt once she took up the running after the second-last, and all roads now lead to Ballybrit at the end of the month, when she will attempt to go one better than last year’s second.

O’Brien said: “She bounced back after the bad run in Bellewstown. We had no excuse for that. Maybe she doesn't enjoy the firm ground, but it's great ground here.

“Brian [Hayes] gave her a lovely, patient ride. She stuck it out well. We’ll try something in Galway with her now.”

Patience pays off

The training performance of the evening went to Ross O’Sullivan after his mare Battle Away defied an absence of 1,061 days to land the second division of the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

Last seen finishing 19 lengths seventh in a Tramore maiden hurdle in August 2019, she made smooth headway under Jack Foley and had enough in reserve to fend off the late rallying Sphagnum by half a length.

Foley said: “We didn't really know what to expect from her as she was off the track so long, but it was a brilliant training performance.

“I was rolling into the straight and I took the chance to stay going – and luckily it paid off. I didn't want to beat her up as she's been off the track a while, but I was happy enough I was going to stay.”

Blond bombshell

Patrick Cronin celebrated his first winner of the season and he’s unlikely to get an easier one than Naturally Blond in the first division of the 2m4f handicap hurdle.

A winner on this card last year, the 12-year-old made all under Darragh O'Keeffe and cantered away in the straight to an easy 15-length success from Miala Araya.

Cronin said: “We'll come back next year for the third win hopefully. He won't do much racing between now and then because he runs better fresh. I'll leave him off in the field for a while.

"He's like a family pet. I bred him and broke him, so it's great for him to win again.”

Smith in form

Matthew Smith continued his cracking week with an across-the-card double when new purchase Arabian King landed the opening 2m4f maiden hurdle to add to La Hacienda’s win at Leopardstown.

In-form Smith, who bought the four-time, all-weather winner for 4,000 guineas from James Ferguson, saddled Another Choice to win at Downpatrick a day earlier, while Cozone was third in a photo finish at Killarney on Tuesday.

Winning rider Keith Donoghue said: “We were confident coming here, his work had been good. We were a little worried about his jumping, but I thought with a clear round he'd have a chance. He probably won a shade snugly in the end.”

Results, replays, analysis

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