Pipers Boreen

Pipers Boreen kept on well to finish second behind Jouster in the two-mile-five-and-a-half-furlong beginners' chase at Tramore on Tuesday. Settled in mid-division from early by Kieren Buckley, she travelled well and she jumped well, and she moved nicely just behind the leading trio as they left the back straight final time. She just got caught in traffic as they rounded the home turn as Jouster, who hadn't been travelling as well as she was, moved up on the outside and got first run. She got out after him but, two lengths down jumping the second last fence, she just couldn't bridge the gap, going down by three parts of a length in the end.

Shane Nolan's mare actually had a very similar profile to the winner's going into the race: both one win from seven runs over hurdles, both ran well on their respective chasing bows, both racing for the second time over fences. Just caught on the run up the hill on her chasing debut at Galway a month earlier off her hurdles mark of 101, she was racing off a new chase mark of 105 here, and she has the potential to go beyond that now. Her best form is on this soft or heavy ground and, a sister to Sir Appollo, who won twice over three miles and three furlongs, and out of a half-sister to The Sliotar, a dual winner over three miles and fourth in a Pertemps Final, she could improve again for stepping up in trip.

Tramore 26^th November 2024