Beacon Edge sets up Hatton’s Grace bid with Galway triumph
‘From the first day he arrived in the yard we’ve just loved him’.
Beacon Edge confirmed himself a smart prospect with victory in the Marlin Hotel Dublin, Supporting The National Breast Cancer Institute Hurdle at Galway. Trained by Noel Meade and sent off the 10-11 favourite for the Grade Three contest, the Sean Flanagan-ridden six-year-old tracked the mare Minella Melody for much of the journey, with the pace hotting up going to two out. The market principals jumped it almost together, but by the final flight the Meade runner had taken command. Flanagan was able to coast home after the last, with the margin of victory four and three-quarter lengths over Minella Melody, whose only previous defeat over hurdles had been when favourite for the mares’ novices’ hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned winner is now set to tackle Grade One company at Fairyhouse, as Meade explained. He said: “From the first day he arrived in the yard we’ve just loved him. “Michael and Eddie (O’Leary) thought he should stay over hurdles and I was happy to agree. He’s more than justified the decision now. “They didn’t go much of a gallop there, but Sean said he was cantering at all stages. “The Hatton’s Grace looks the obvious race for him and we’ll see how it’ll work.” The Tu Va handler also reported his earlier faller on the card, Diol Ker, none the worse: “He seems OK and Sean said he was just too fresh. “With the whole Covid thing we hadn’t got him away. Ideally we’d have brought him to Navan or somewhere for a school.”Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Endless Victory puts himself in line for Classic trial test
Charlie Appleby’s full-brother to stable’s Melbourne Cup winner possible for Lingfield.
-
Golden Ace in imperious form on return to Cheltenham
Jeremy Scott’s Festival heroine stays unbeaten with the minimum of fuss.
-
Haatem boosts Hannon hopes for 2000 Guineas bid
Craven winner makes his case to join stable number one Rosallion in colts’ Classic.
-
First Conquest is Wood Ditton wonder for Appleby and Buick
Newmarket newcomers event is invariably a good pointer.
-
Charlie Hills still harbours Group One hopes for Cicero’s Gift
Colt was last seen in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
-
Mullins runs six in Scottish National as Championship hunt intensifies
Ireland’s leading trainer is aiming to maintain his advantage.
-
Punchestown tilt not ruled out for Corach Rambler
Last year’s Grand National winner exited early on Saturday.
-
Michael Owen on the scoresheet with It Ain’t Two
Speedy filly has some lofty targets in front of her.
-
Skelton adds Cheltenham winner to championship prize-money haul
No joy for Paul Nicholls after narrow defeat in the last.