Turf Talk: Landofhopeandglory favourite to triumph after fairytale start to jumps career at Fairyhouse

Landofhopeandglory moved to the top of ante-post lists for next year's Triumph Hurdle after making an impressive start to his jumping career at Fairyhouse yesterday.
Jockey Barry Geraghty.Jockey Barry Geraghty.
Jockey Barry Geraghty.

The son of High Chaparral won just once from nine starts on the Flat for Aidan O’Brien, but earned a three-figure rating following some excellent efforts in defeat.

Sent off the 10-11 favourite on his first start for Joseph O’Brien and owner JP McManus in the Racing On New Years Day 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle, the youngster jumped well in the main and quickened up smartly from the final flight to beat stable companion Big Ben by a length and a half.

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Paddy Power cut Landofhopeandglory to 12-1 favourite from 20-1 for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham next March.

The owner’s racing manager, Frank Berry, said: “We’re delighted with him. He was a bit novicey at a few and should learn a good bit. You could only be pleased.

“We were delighted with the second and he’ll come on from the run and learn a little bit. It probably wasn’t the strongest race and you wouldn’t want to get carried away, but you can only be delighted. We’ll take him home and see how he comes out of the race.”

Landofhopeandglory and Big Ben are just two of a number of ex-Ballydoyle horses who will go jumping for O’Brien and McManus this winter.

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“That’s the first two and there are a few more to come, although they haven’t been off the ground yet so we’ll see what happens down the road,” said Berry.

Winning jockey Barry Geraghty was completing a treble having struck gold aboard Gordon Elliott’s Woodford Island (6-5 favourite) in the Marie Keating Foundation Fundraising Day At Fairyhouse November 16th Beginners Chase and the Eric McNamara-trained Irish Bulletin (4-1) in the Book Easter Festival Tickets Online At fairyhouse.ie Handicap Chase.

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

KEMPTON: 4.25 Cadland Lad, 4.55 Outrage, 5.25 Wordsearch (treble), 5.55 DOMINATING (NAP), 6.25 Hathiq (next best), 6.55 Faydhan, 7.25 Sixties Groove, 7.55 Estibdaad.

BANGOR: 12.50 Ballycoe, 1.20 Stephanie Frances, 1.50 Firth Of The Clyde, 2.25 Drumcliff, 3.00 Tornado In Milan, 3.30 Burnside, 4.05 Norab.

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AYR: 1.10 Sammy B, 1.40 Ballyben, 2.15 Landmeafortune, 2.50 Baysbrown, 3.20 Generous Pet, 3.55 River Icon.

EXETER: 1.00 Tobefair, 1.30 Cowards Close, 2.00 Dan Emmett, 2.35 Aux Ptits Soins, 3.10 Unison, 3.40 Tara View, 4.15 Rouge Devils.