Break My Soul
Noted here after she finished second in a mares' handicap hurdle at Newbury on her final run for Nicky Henderson, and again after she finished second in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park in February on her first run for Ian Donoghue, Break My Soul is worthy of note again after she won the mares' beginners' chase on her seasonal debut back at Gowran Park on Saturday. Weak in the market beforehand, she settled nicely by Keith Donoghue through the early stages of the race, back in the small field and towards the outside. Widest of all down the back straight, she travelled well around the home turn, third of the group of four that broke away. She and Qualimita moved on on the run to the second last, and they touched down over that obstacle together, but Break My Soul travelled better down to the final fence. She landed over that obstacle with a marginal advantage and, shaken up by her rider, she pulled away on the run-in to win by three and a half lengths from Qualimita, who was miles clear of the rest.
This was a really nice performance by Ian Donoghue's mare on her chasing bow. The favourite Lantry Lady obviously under-performed, but Break My Soul couldn't have been much more impressive than she was in winning. She jumped well and she travelled like the most likely winner from a fair way out. She was a good mare for Nicky Henderson, if a little free-going, and she ran in the Aintree Hurdle and in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle at the end of last season, she is obviously highly regarded by connections and, on this evidence, she could leave even her good hurdles form behind now over fences. She stays two and a half miles, but this two-mile trip could be her trip now over fences, given how fluently she jumps. Ian Donoghue said afterwards that she is the best horse he has ever had, and that he had been really looking forward to going chasing with her. She will be of interest wherever she goes next. The Craddockstown Chase at Punchestown, where she would be in receipt of weight from the geldings, could be a good option for her now.
Gowran Park, 8th November 2025
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