3 minute read

Dual bumper winner primed for Grade Two test.

Eric Bloodaxe  is set to lead Joseph O'Brien's team into battle at the Dublin Racing Festival next weekend.

Unbeaten in two bumpers to date, the Gigginstown House Stud-owned five-year-old will aim to follow in the footsteps of Envoi Allen – who last season won the Grade Two bumper at Leopardstown before going on to double up at the Cheltenham Festival.

"I've been very lucky this year to get some very nice bumper horses, so we'll be represented with real chances," said O'Brien.

"Eric Bloodaxe has done nothing wrong – he looks a decent horse and might run on the Saturday – and we've a filly that won at Fairyhouse, Castra Vetera, who might run on the Sunday.

"The young horses coming through, the novices and the bumper horses, are the future – so it's important you are well represented in those, and luckily this year we are.

"Uhtred is another nice young horse. But having run over hurdles, he doesn't qualify for the bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival – (so) he might go to Naas for a winners' of two at the end of February."

O'Brien, a champion jockey on the Flat, has made a scintillating start to his training career – winning major races under both codes, including a Melbourne Cup with Rekindling and an Irish Gold Cup with Edwulf.

He added: "I've had the support of some fantastic owners, and I've stumbled across some very good horses.