Aloneamongmillions continued on his rapidly progressing upward trajectory by making a winning rules debut to claim the 2020 renewal of the Boylesports Tetretema Cup at Gowran Park on Saturday.
The seven-year-old may not have made his debut for connections until March of last year when winning an older maiden at Ballyragget, however since that day his trainer Sam Curling has always held him in the highest of regard, and he has never given him any reason to question that faith.
Entering the race following a further three consecutive victories between the flags this season, culminating in a winning open level debut at Bellharbour last month, Aloneamongmillions was given a typically confident waiting ride by Derek O’Connor, which saw the joint-favourite racing in the year third throughout.
As one of his chief market rivals, the Clonmel Hunter Chase winner, Some Man, made his move towards the front at the home bend under Rob James, O’Connor steadily introduced Tessa Foreman son of Mahler into the race, and whilst he had to be shaken up to land with the advantage at the final fence, he never had to be asked for maximum effort as he won going away by four and a half lengths.
Some Man did bounce back from his disappointing fourth at Thurles by claiming the runners-up spot, getting the better of the Thurles winner, Macs Legend, who had to settle for third, although going one place better than his fourth in last year’s renewal.
Wounded Warrior completed a one-four for winning trainer Sam Curling, who had enjoyed good fortunes earlier in the day when his reigning champion mare, Longhouse Music, got among the winner at Ballycahane, whilst the other joint-favourite Fenno’s Storm, failed in his bid for a third successive victory in the prestigious race, as he began threading water from the approach to the home straight and was well beaten into sixth.
“It was a lovely performance and he's a very nice horse. He got hurt as a four-year-old and we gave him plenty of time,” said Curling speaking to IrishRacing.com.
“I'd say that could nearly be it for the year or he might go to Punchestown. We'll aim him for Cheltenham next year so we might avoid that as he doesn't take much racing.
“It's great for the owners who have been with me a long time.
“The first two are two good horses, young horses. They brought the form to the table.”
“I'd say that could nearly be it for the year or he might go to Punchestown. We'll aim him for Cheltenham next year so we might avoid that as he doesn't take much racing.
“It's great for the owners who have been with me a long time.
“The first two are two good horses, young horses. They brought the form to the table.”
Aloneamongmillions wins the BoyleSports Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase at @GowranPark1 pic.twitter.com/Z4oQymnxzo
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) March 7, 2020
