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Story edges Florida Pearl thriller

Stellar Story came out on top when facing two stablemates in the Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase.

Gordon Elliott was the trainer of all three entrants for the Grade Two, with the trio all owned by Gigginstown House Stud and run in variants of their burgundy and white silks.

Last season’s Albert Bartlett winner Stellar Story was the choice of stable jockey Jack Kennedy and the 8/15 favourite, with Search For Glory a 15/8 chance under Sam Ewing and Rainbow Trail at 12-1 under Jody McGarvey.

The horses finished in that order but the victory did not always look assured for Stellar Story and he had to hold off a strong challenge from Search For Glory to prevail by a short head, who if he had jumped the last better may well have got the verdict.

“It was a competitive race and probably neither horse wanted to be in front. They are big, three-mile staying chasers and idle in front,” said Elliott. “Sam’s lad wasn’t doing much in front and then when Jack got in front he wasn’t doing much either. At one stage they were only going 23 or 24mph.

“It was an exciting finish and all credit has to go to Michael O’Leary for running all three runners in the race. Search For Glory had had a run and Stellar Story hadn’t. I’d say if Jack had another go he’d probably sit behind Sam and have one go at him. In fairness both horses had a good school around.

“I’d imagine Stellar Story will run over three miles at Christmas and Search For Glory will probably be going for similar races.”

De Bromhead at the double

Butch Cassidy showed plenty of promise to take the Sebden Steel Maiden Hurdle for Henry de Bromhead and owner Mrs John Magnier.

The four-year-old is a half brother to Champion Bumper winner Fayonagh and had a bumper win of his own to his name for Philip Fenton ahead of this contest. Under Darragh O’Keeffe he was a 3-1 chance for the race when taking to hurdles for the first time and prevailed by half a length from 2/1 favourite Sermandzarak.

“He’s a lovely big horse and a real chaser in the making. He has loads of size and scope and he gallops,” said De Bromhead.

“He’s big and raw and we felt whatever he did today that he’d improve. He has a good attitude. I didn’t get a schooling hurdle into him which I would have liked but his jumping improved as the race went on.

“Darragh was brilliant on him and I’m delighted to get a winner for the Magniers who are fantastic supporters.”

Its Bilbo (7/4 favourite) made a winning stable debut for the same trainer and jockey in the Total Event Rental 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

“Danny Cooper recommended him from France and liked his run back in the spring,” De Bromhead said. “He’s a fine big horse and hopefully will continue to improve. We won’t be in any mad panic this year and it’s lovely to have Matt (Fitzgerald, owner) here and winning.

“We might look at Leopardstown at Christmas and will give him a few runs to see where we are.”

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