Ballyshannon battles to take Grade 2 thriller

Ballyshannon Rose edged the verdict in a terrific finish to the Grade 2 Coolmore NH Sires Mares Novice Chase at Thurles.

The two-and-a-half mile contest saw three swing for home locked together as the market leaders battled it out.

9/4 favourite Minella Melody was upsides Jeremys Flame (5/2) with Ballyshannon Rose completing the trio.

Minella Melody cried enough going to the final fence as the other two jumped the last head to head.

Ballyshannon Rose started to edge ahead on the run-in but the 7/2 winner was all out at the line as Jeremys Flame rallied to push her to half a length.

The Paul Fahey-trained winner was bouncing back having fallen when set to finish second to Vanillier in another Grade 2 contest at Punchestown in mid-November.

She had previously won on her chase debut over this course and distance.

"She won her beginners here well so it was the obvious race after her fall at Punchestown. She had run a very good race at Punchestown when she took a fall and then got an infection and missed Limerick over Christmas.

"I was excited when I saw Concertista wasn't lining up in today's race as she's the best mare I've seen and we were in with our chance and was a great race to win.

"It was a proper race and I got a phone call to say I had won, as I was down the track and thought she was beaten! I was a nervous wreck and it was the best phone call I got in a long time.

"We have a big team of lads working for us and we shoe the horses for Willie Mullins and Jessica Harrington and this is part-time. I ride her out in the morning and a couple of lads my own age group ride out a couple of horses every morning.

"It was great to have a runner in a race like that as it is not simple in the world we're in now. She was a E3,000 foal and there are naughts being put on the end of those horses now. It proves there is room for everyone in this game.

"She is not going to Cheltenham as the plan was always the Irish National. I haven't changed from that and there is a mares' chase at Limerick in March before the Irish National."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)