Normans Grove Chase Result: Blazing on fire under Walsh

News / Timeform / 22 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Mrs S Ricci's Blazing Tempo.

"It was clearly a top performance from the ultra-consistent mare as she had 4 lb to find with last year's Jewson winner going into the race..."

Smart chaser Blazing Tempo landed the most prestigious victory of her career over fences so far when taking the Grade 2 Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday afternoon.

With Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh having combined to win the first two races on the card, Blazing Tempo was backed into a Betfair SP of [3.48] and, despite making a minor mistake early on, she was always travelling well at the rear of the five-runner field.

Rank outsider Saludos was allowed to take the field along at his own pace, with Tranquil Sea heading the rest from Noble Prince, leaving Blazing Tempo to bring up the rear. However, Saludos had no answer when pressed four out and it was Tranquil Sea who looked to be going best, with Noble Prince not the quickest over the obstacles.

Despite touching an in-running high of [11.0], Blazing Tempo was not done with though and, having progressed from the rear, arrived travelling ominously well in between the pair going into the last and battled on for a three-quarter-length victory over the staying-on Noble Prince.

It was clearly a top performance from the ultra-consistent mare as she had 4 lb to find with last year's Jewson winner going into the race, and she will clearly warrant plenty of respect for the foreseeable future. She was fifth in the Jewson last year and it could just be that the Ryanair (currently [34.0]) is the race connections will choose at the Festival.

[2.0] favourite Noble Prince shaped as if he's in need of a return to further in second, and as a consequence he's now [7.6] market leader for the the same race at Cheltenham in March.