Blake
Blake proved his versatility with a career-best performance to run Koktail Brut to a head in the Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday. Settled in second place early on by Donagh Meyler, up on the outside of Koktail Brut, it appeared as if he wasn't travelling as well as the leader at varying junctures, including when they landed in unison over the second last flight. But he stuck to his task gamely and, when Jack Kennedy asked the leader for his effort, and Koktail Brut picked up on the run to the final flight, Blake stayed with him. Blake got in tight to the obstacle, which wasn't ideal, it cost him momentum, but he rallied gamely on the run-in, just going down by a head in the end.
It was a fine run by Noel Meade's horse, he showed a really good attitude to stick to his task as well as he did, seeing out his race well after racing up with a strong pace. A talented horse on the flat for Peter Chapple-Hyam, he was second past the post before being awarded the race in the stewards' room in a 12-furlong handicap at Leopardstown in October on his second run for his new trainer, which saw his flat mark raised to 94. And he showed his flat race speed when he ran out an impressive winner of his maiden hurdle at Down Royal at the start of November, quickening up smartly off a sedate pace on yielding ground and posting a finishing speed of 112% of overall speed. He proved on Sunday that he could operate on soft National Hunt ground and off a fast pace, and he will be of interest again wherever he goes next.
Fairyhouse, 30th November 2025
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