Recite A Prayer

Recite A Prayer ran out a good winner of the two-mile-five-and-a-half-furlong beginners’ chase at Tramore on Thursday, under conditions that were probably less than optimal for him. The decent pace that Donagh Meyler set on Optional Mix probably was a help to him, and he settled nicely for Danny Mullins just behind it, jumping well for a debutant. Optional Mix and Champagne Sparkles moved on as they raced down the back straight final time, but Danny Mullins remained unperturbed, he just allowed his horse make his ground on the run down the hill and, moved towards the outside, he joined the two leaders at the second last fence. He picked up quickly from there, moved to the front and across to his right onto the inside rail, popped the last, and kept on well up the run-in to beat Champagne Sparkles by four and a half lengths, with Optional Mix 11 lengths further back in third.

A point-to-point winner, the Recital gelding ran twice in bumpers for Paul Hennessy before joining Willie Mullins and putting up an encouraging performance on his first run over hurdles at Tipperary in May to finish second behind Queensteel. He didn’t build on that in two subsequent runs over hurdles, but, from the family of three-time Champion Chase winner Badsworth Boy, it always looked likely that he would be a better chaser than hurdler. He got his chasing career off to the best possible start on Thursday, and he should be able to build on this now. He should do better on a more galloping track and probably on easier ground, and he could be even better on a left-handed track.
Tramore, 14^th October 2021