Dan Does It At Bangor!

I bet that owner Stuart Mercer had his heart in his mouth as Dan Breen blundered his way through the last fence at Bangor yesterday.  Up to that point our five year old had jumped brilliantly and had the race in safe keeping from a long way out.  Fortunately the partnership remained intact and they came home to a decisive eleven length success ahead of the 137 rated Hollo Ladies.  We were all delighted for Stuart who has been a firm supporter of the yard for many years - he missed his firm's Christmas dinner to attend, so it was a good result for him.  Tom Scudamore went on to complete a double aboard Bellflower Boy so it was a good day all round.

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Watching the racing from Fairyhouse yesterday, you couldn't help but be impressed by the performance of Zaidpour in the Grade One novices' hurdle.  The four year old was well backed from evens into 4/7 and never came off the bridle to score by an easy 12 lengths.  When asked how good he was, trainer Willie Mullins said that he worked upsides Hurricane Fly and was every bit as good - you hear rumours like these all of the time in racing and they often amount to nothing, but on this occasion those sentiments appear justified.  He was only having his second hurdles start and the sky looks to be the limit for this one.  Furthermore, Hurricane Fly went on to record an impressive success in the Grade One Hattons Grace hurdle on the same card and is now vying for favouritism for the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

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I was greatly saddened to hear of the loss of Twist Magic yesterday at Newbury following his fall in the rescheduled Peterborough Chase.  He had been a great servant to connections through the years and he will be very difficult to replace - our thoughts are with his owners.

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Followers of the Pipeline were rewarded with another three winners yesterday at the rewarding odds of 4/1, 3/1 and 5/2.  To benefit from this top-class information call 0900 3900 900 from 8am (Calls charged at 60p per min at all times, helpline 01884 840715).