Brides Hill

Brides Hill was good in winning the listed mares’ novices’ chase at Thurles last Thursday. The early market was dominated by Telmesomethinggirl and Instit, rated, respectively, 142 and 139 over hurdles, and who had met at Naas in January, and those two moved on at the end of the back straight. But Brides Hill travelled well in third place behind them under Luke Dempsey as they raced across the top of the track, and she tracked them into the home straight. It was apparent early in the home straight that Gavin Cromwell’s mare was travelling better than the two market leaders, and she duly joined them on the far side on the run to the final fence, jumped to the front over that obstacle, and stayed on strongly to win by four lengths in the end.

This was a first win over fences for Brides Hill, but she had been progressing toward it. She fell on her chasing bow at Fairyhouse in October, and her trainer said afterwards that that had set her back, that she was only just finding her rhythm now over fences. A 137-rated hurdler, she could go even higher over fences now, she was impressive in beating two talented mares here. She goes well on goodish ground, so she will be of interest again now as we move into the spring.
Thurles, 23^rd February 2023