'You couldn't fault that' - French Dynamite makes explosive start to new season

Thursday: Thurles

The feature He'llberemembered Hurdle at the first jumps meeting of the new season at Thurles was dominated by horses reverting to hurdles after stints over fences, and it was one of those, French Dynamite, who made a winning start to the new campaign.

Early in the race, the winner jumped like a horse who had been chasing, but when asked for a big jump at the last he produced one.

He needed it too as runner-up Ballyshannon Rose was closing on him. The mare, representing He'llberemembered's trainer Paul Fahey, would have gone close but for a mistake at the last, and it was a somewhat rueful but very sporting Fahey who handed over the winning trophy.

Winning trainer Mouse Morris said: "You couldn't fault that performance. I'm not sure where we'll go with him. He's hard enough to place because he might just be a bit short of a Graded horse, so it might be a handicap. He'll go back over fences and I think he'll go up in trip by the end of the season."

Meyler airlifted to hospital

Rider Donagh Meyler suffered a nasty fall from Jetango at an early stage of the 2m4f handicap chase, which ended in him being airlifted to hospital.

IHRB chief medical officer Jennifer Pugh said: "Donagh Meyler was airlifted to Cork University Hospital following his fall. Donagh was conscious leaving the racecourse and is currently stable. He will undergo further examination there."

De Bromhead double

Henry de Bromhead was back at the races and was quick to express his gratitude for the support received from the racing community after the death of his son Jack last month.

His attendance was rewarded with a double, although stable jockey Rachael Blackmore missed out as she is recovering from a fall while schooling earlier in the week.

Mark Walsh took the mount on the Robcour-owned who put in a sound jumping performance in the mares' beginners chase.

"She got a bit lost over hurdles but she loves jumping fences," said De Bromhead. "We were keen to send her chasing and she probably needs every inch of a trip. She likes good ground and she could be a lovely mare for the spring."

Darragh O'Keeffe, who won on French Dynamite, partnered the first leg of his double and the second leg of De Bromhead's when the consistent Still Ciel narrowly landed the mares' maiden hurdle.

"That looked like a bit of tired run, so we might give her a break now and bring her back for the spring," said the trainer.

Results, replays and analysis

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