Having been responsible for the winner of the day one opener in Appreciate It, Pat Doyle’s Suirview Stables were once again the team behind starting off Bob Olinger who ran out a wide-margin winner of the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
The success of the Turtulla maiden winner, a first at the Festival for owner Brian Acheson, continued a great week for Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead, who were fresh from winning the Champion Hurdle a day earlier with fellow pointing export Honeysuckle.
Following the seven and a half length victory for the 6/4 favourite over Gaillard du Mesnil the winning trainer said:
“I’m delighted with him. Rachael was brilliant on him again, and he couldn't have done it any better. We were really happy with him; he’s a horse we’ve always liked, and he’s done very little wrong. He’s very exciting.
“I started the season aiming at the Supreme, but everyone persuaded me, quite rightly, to step up [in trip]. I was very hopeful beforehand, as ever, but it was a very good race and you never know on the day.
“He has so much pace, but seems to be able to quicken as well of any kind of pace, so I’m not sure what distance he will be best at in the end; you could go either way with him, and at least he saw that out well.
“We’d have a very high opinion of him at home. He had to go and show it again today, but thankfully he did. He’s got a great temperament and is just a really nice horse.
“We’ll get through his novice season this year before we think too much about the future. He’s built like a chaser and jumps like one, so we’d normally love going that way, but we’ll speak to Brian and Robcour and see what they think, but we’ll enjoy today.
Jockey Rachael Blackmore equally as jubilant following the success and added: “It’s unbelievable. I’m so delighted for Brian Acheson (owner) and his family. He puts a lot into this game and he’s got a very special horse on his hands now I think.
“His potential is sky high, I would say. He was phenomenal there. Look, it’s unbelievable. He won a point-to-point for Pat Doyle and Henry got him then. Anyone who has ever been associated with him has thought an awful lot of him. Winning at Cheltenham is what it’s all about, and he’s done that now.”
Ask if he will go chasing one day she added: “He will and there will be plenty of big days in him, hopefully. But it’s just fantastic for everyone in the yard. Davy Roche puts a lot of work into this horse, so big thanks to him as well for all the work he does with him.”
Fellow pointer Bravemansgame also made the frame having finished third and his jockey Harry Cobden said: “I just couldn’t believe that Bob Olinger was swinging when we were turning in. We went a nice even gallop and he’s a freak. I thought my horse has run his race and he’s just something else.”
