Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- irishracing.com
- Cheltenham
- News
- Diamond sparkles in mares' Grade 1
Diamond sparkles in mares' Grade 1
Ashroe Diamond and Paul Townend (right) clear the final hurdle from Whatcouldhavebeen
© Photo Healy Racing
Ashroe Diamond stamped her class on proceedings with an easy victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The Willie Mullins-trained mare missed Cheltenham after failing to please her handler in the build up and went to post 2/1 favourite in this afternoon's Grade 1 contest.
Paul Townend settled his mount mid-division in the early stages of the two-and-a-half mile contest before scything through the field turning for home, as Whatcouldhavebeen kicked clear.
She closed on that rival at the second last and jumped to the front at the final flight.
The daughter of Walk In The Park soon settled matters as she stretched clear for a five length success.
Assistant David Casey said:- “She was very good, Paul said she did everything right.
“She got a bit keen, they went stop-start a bit but she travelled like a dream and jumped brilliant. She did it very easy.
“Who knows what would have happened at Cheltenham but it's great to win today, it's very important for the mares.
“She did everything right and hopefully she'll go forward next year.
“She got a nasty cut behind there and I'd say she'll need a couple of stitches.”