Shantou gelding Brechin Castle defied an 804-day absence on hurdling and yard debut for Willie Mullins at Naas on Wednesday.
He was purchased for £165,000 by Ben Brookhouse after landing a Ballycrystal Point-To-Point in 2023 for Colin Bowe. He made a successful rules debut in a Sedgefield bumper having dotted up 14 lengths. Then, he backed that up in listed company at Cheltenham, before a second splitting two smart sorts at Ascot.
Brookhouse set some lofty aspirations for Brechin Castle, with the ultimate aim culminating in the Champion Bumper. After his lease ran out in Newmarket, Brookhouse planned a complete shutdown with a view to return to Stratford. No staff or horses made the voyage with him, including Brechin Castle who was met with a setback before Cheltenham.
“He had a decent level of form and he still has it, I think” – Paul Townend
Now in the hands of Willie Mullins, Brechin Castle made no mistake in making up for lost time. He made most of the running under Paul Townend, regaining the lead after being headed two out.
Speaking to Racing TV after the race, Paul Townend said: “He’s a lovely, bonny horse. Obviously, he had been off the track for a long time, but he popped away well in front,
“He had a little blow, so I think he’ll improve a little bit for it as well. What looked like a race, we settled quick enough. It’s good to get him back on the track.
“He had a decent level of form and he still has it, I think.”
Bokasim opens hurdling account at the fourth time of asking
In the following race on the card, Bokasim opened his hurdling account for Henry De Bromhead. Carrying the Presenting Percy colours of Phillip Reynolds, he made all to run out a six-length winner. Bokasim showed promise on debut when third to Cheltenham Festival contender Sortudo. He was then fifth to the progressive King Rasko Grey, just behind Cheltenham handicap dark horse I Started A Joke.
The first time tongue-tie has evidently brought out improvement, as Darragh O’Keefe was impressed with the performance.
“I thought the last day we didn’t go quick. He missed a couple of hurdles and it put him on the back foot. It was a deep race the last day, with Spinningayarn, and today’s race was tidy as well.
“We all thought that we’d buck him out and make him do it. He’s a fine big horse and jumped brilliant today. I thought it was a good performance.”