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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Ballyoisin brilliant in Navan

Sun 11th Nov 2018, 14:44

Ballyoisin in dominant formBallyoisin in dominant form
© Photo Healy Racing

Ballyoisin obliterated his three rivals in the Grade Two Fortria Chase at Navan with an excellent round of jumping.

The 8/13 favourite's task was made easier when Doctor Phoenix was withdrawn due to the going but he could hardly have been more impressive.

He made all and tanked along for Barry Geraghty as the pair jumped from fence to fence.

The race was put to bed by the third last as Ordinary World toiled in second behind the clear leader.

Ballyoisin then sauntered in by 23 lengths from Ordinary World (7/2).

Barry Geraghty said: "He's a lovely horse, he has a great way of going and jumps really well. He was mad fresh, he hasn't run in 60-odd days and he was well up for it today.

"Jumping is his thing and a big track like this a horse like him can excel. That's what he did.

"Down the back you are winging and winging but he's taking them on and you have to go with him. You are taking a punt when you are doing it three or four times in a row.

"But 10 strides from the last I'm saying 'come here, we don't need anything fancy here!'

"He's just one of those horses with a good attitude and he wants to go on and wants to do it and wants to please.

"He's rated 157 and I know he was very impressive today but I'd say it was just the style of racing suited him. if he's in a handicap off 157 it could work for him as well. It's hard to know (how far up the ranks he can go) but he was good fun today."

Enda Bolger said: “We're delighted with him and he's doing everything we're asking of him.

“His jumping is slick and the one question mark we would have is the real heavy winter ground.

“He seems to be in good form all the time at home. We'll follow the ground and follow the money.

“Leopardstown could be his track with all the fences as he loves the jumping.

“He's a dream of a horse.”

This brought up a four-timer for Ballyoisin and Paddy Power gave him a first show of 33/1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.