Our Boy Boru

Our Boy Boru did well to finish second to Dawerann in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.

Settled just behind the leaders by Matthew Bowes through the early stages of the race, he travelled well and jumped well in the main. He just lost his position a little in the crowding on the run to the third last flight, however, as the ultimate winner Dawerann moved up on his inside. He made a mistake at that obstacle, he lost momentum, and he lost a good position, but he picked up well from there when his rider got after him as they rounded the home turn. He jumped the final flight well and he finished off his race strongly. It never looked like he was going to get to the leader, but he closed on him all the way to the line.

It was a fine run from John Woods’ horse on his first run in a handicap. Just a five-year-old, one of just four five-year-olds in the race, he proved that he was able to mix it in handicap company off this mark of 112.

Winner of his maiden hurdle at Navan in September over two miles, he saw out this two and a half miles well, he probably improved for the step up in trip. It was only his fifth race over hurdles, so he is probably progressive anyway, and he has scope for more.

The handicapper raised him 3lb to a mark of 115, and that is a mark off which he will still be of interest in a handicap hurdle. He is a significantly improved horse now, he handles good ground and soft ground, and it looks like two and a half miles is a good trip for him now.

11^th December 2016