Local trainer Henry de Bromhead has had a St. Stephen's Day to remember - training four winners across the cards.
The successes began to flow for Team Knockeen at Down Royal as the Sean Flanagan-ridden Air of Entitlement (5/2) justified favouritism in the opening miaden hurdle - scoring with 3 and half lengths in hand.
🚀 Oh that's smooth
We're off and running. Air Of Entitlement hacks up on hurdling debut at @Downroyal @HenrydeBromhead pic.twitter.com/JUVw7NESe9
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 26, 2024
A quickfire double soon followed for de Bromhead and Flanagan - with Downmexicoway also justifying favouritism at short odds of 2/7 - hosing up in the second race at the Northern track, with an impressive ten lengths to spare.
Doubles for @swflanagan7 & @HenrydeBromhead - Downmexicoway hoses up at @Downroyal 🏆 pic.twitter.com/HPAxQeRlXn
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 26, 2024
Attentions then turned to Leopardstown for de Bromhead and local jockey Mikey O'Connor - and once again the Knockeen handler struck oil, as Workahead powered through the line with seven lengths in hand at odds of 13/2 in a maiden hurdle.
Starting strong 💪@HenrydeBromhead picks up his third win of the day as Workahead takes the @ThorntonsRec Maiden Hurdle 👏pic.twitter.com/yT0dgKL9qD
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) December 26, 2024
De Bromhead then picked up Grade 2 honours at Limerick as impressive mare The Big Westerner upheld her unbeaten record, seeing off the Declan Queally-trained Mozzie's Sister among others at odds of 7/4 in the hands of Darragh O'Keeffe.
😍 Exciting prospect - The Big Westerner remains unbeaten, landing G2 honours at @LimerickRaces
An across-the-card four-timer for @HenrydeBromhead pic.twitter.com/XFfeaA9clT
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 26, 2024
The Knockeen handler and stable jockey Rachael Blackmore were stationed at Kempton for the King George IV Chase in which they went with 9-time Grade 1 winner Envoi Allen - who unseated five fences from the finish.
The Jimmy Mangan-trained Spillane's Tower went off 3/1 favourite but it was the Joseph O'Brien-trained Banbridge got past Il Est Francais to land the feature at odds of 7/1 under the guidance of Paul Townend.
Meanwhile in the Christmas Hurdle, the Nicky Henderson-trained Constitution Hill made a scintillating return to action, seeing off the Willie Mullins' trained Lossiemouth in another twist in a fascinating Champion Hurdle picture.
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