Bog Warrior lands the Follow Punchestown On Facebook Hurdle
The nine-year-old bay gelding, Bog Warrior, settled into the season almost flawlessly after missing the reappearance. He posted a back-to-back on the profile by bringing in the Follow Punchestown On Facebook Hurdle on 31st December, 2012 at Punchestown
race course over two miles and four furlongs.
Not only was Bog Warrior stepped up in class rather he was entered as the 11 to 8 favourite for the race. Pretty soon the race turned out to be tussle between the most popular entry and the C. Byrnes trained, Solwhit.
Riding in under the great expertise of the highly capable rider, Davy Russell, they found Solwhit to be a temporary threat as he faded and got beaten by 6 ½ lengths.
The top-class hurdler, Solwhit, had raced after over 700 days staying off the track and that lack of practice started showing during the closing stages of the race. Runner-up’s honour after such a lengthy lay off was a delightful moment for the connections
who were satisfied and content with the performance. For them it was not about losing the first position but getting the second one.
Tony Martin, the winning trainer commented:
"I'm thrilled with that. He improved from the north and at Fairyhouse he was good, but that was him today and it's great to see.
"There was no hiding place for anything there. I'll have a chat with the boys now (owners, Gigginstown House Stud) and see what way they want to go.”
"It's just great to get a couple of wins with him. I'm just happy to go for something nice after today. We'll see how he is in the morning and week ahead. That's the most important thing as he's had a few problems in the past."
Before this, Bog Warrior won the Ryan’s Cleaning Services Handicap Hurdle on 1st December, 2012 at Fairyhouse over two miles and four furlongs.
The evening’s favourite defeated Wise Oscar by eight lengths.
The recent achievements have already got him 12 to 1 shot for the World Hurdle in March at Cheltenham.
Of course there will be many other competitors in the World Hurdle field, but his success over the step up in class has set him class apart already.
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