Rachael Blackmore made her highly anticipated return to racing after a three-month injury layoff, finishing second aboard Slade Steel in the Bar One Racing ‘100% Acca Boost On Self Service Terminals’ Beginners Chase at Naas.
Blackmore, sidelined with a neck injury, looked primed for a victorious comeback on Henry de Bromhead's Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner, Slade Steel. The six-year-old was a heavily favoured 8-15 shot, having already gained chasing experience. However, it was Willie Mullins’ Lecky Watson who stole the show, demonstrating marked improvement over fences.
The Race
Blackmore settled Slade Steel behind the front-running Lecky Watson as the two horses dictated the pace. Approaching the second-last fence, a tightly packed field momentarily threatened to challenge, but the two leading contenders pulled away once more.
Despite their past meeting over hurdles, where Slade Steel had come out on top, Lecky Watson showed notable improvement with the added distance and larger obstacles. His superior stamina—bolstered by his previous efforts in Grade One staying hurdles—proved decisive.
Under Paul Townend, Lecky Watson powered home to win by a length and a quarter, with Slade Steel unable to bridge the gap despite Blackmore’s determined efforts.
Post-Race Reactions
Trainer Willie Mullins expressed satisfaction with Lecky Watson’s performance, highlighting the horse’s aptitude over fences.
“That was a good performance. I’m delighted with how he jumped and settled in front—it’s a big improvement on his hurdling form,” Mullins said. “His attitude to jumping was tremendous. Paul was very happy, and so was I. For a horse’s first run over fences, it was a very good start.”
Mullins also hinted at flexibility in Lecky Watson’s future distance preferences, adding, “Paul thought this was his trip, but I think we could go further if needed.”
Betfair subsequently shortened Lecky Watson’s odds for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase from 100-1 to 25-1, while Slade Steel drifted to 33-1 for the Arkle.
Blackmore’s Return
While Blackmore’s return didn’t end in victory, her ride showcased her trademark grit and determination. The renowned jockey will undoubtedly be looking forward to future opportunities with de Bromhead’s promising team of runners.
Mullins Honored as ‘Manager of the Year’
The day was further sweetened for Mullins, who was named ‘Manager of the Year’ at the RTE Sports Awards.
“I’m delighted to receive the award—it’s a testament to the entire team at Closutton,” Mullins remarked. “You can’t be a good manager without great people behind you. It’s also wonderful to see racing recognised on such a platform.”
The victory at Naas capped an already memorable weekend for the champion trainer, as Lecky Watson's performance emphasised the strength and depth of his formidable stable.