All For Joy
All For Joy put up an impressive performance to win the 2m maiden hurdle. Prominent from flagfall and sent to the front by Barry Browne passing the winning post with a circuit to race, he was quickly into a nice racing rhythm. He stretched his field out down the back straight, and as they raced to the home turn. Fast Buck moved nicely in behind him as they straightened up, but Oliver McKiernan's horse found plenty in front. He picked up again at the second last flight and he stretched clear over the last and up the run-in to record an impressive win.
The Robin Des Pres gelding did win his only point-to-point, but he had been beaten in all seven of his races under Rule before this. Second in all five of his bumpers, and in one of his maiden hurdles, it was a bit disappointing that he didn't win his maiden hurdle a Naas on his previous run, when he hit the front on the run-in but succumbed ultimately to the rallying Advantage Point, but he showed a really willing attitude here. The hood that he wore for the first time on his previous run was discarded, and a noseband was added, and connections reverted to the front-running tactics that they had employed in four of his five bumpers, and that all seemed to suit him well. It looks like a solid performance, the winning time was good, and the 'right' horses in Momus and Fast Buck filled the minor places, with the three of them well clear of their field. All For Joy has raced just three times over hurdles now, he has the potential to progress again, and he could do even better in the future now that he has won under Rules.
Naas, 24th February 2019
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