Shadow Eile loves the good ground

Shadow Eile and Andrew McNamara won the Grade 2 mares novice hurdle championship final at Fairyhouse by a neck for trainer Dot Love.

The 11/2 shot (backed from 13/2 in the morning) jumped into the lead at the final flight of the two and a half mile contest and was always holding Burn And Turn (3/1 from 5/1 in the morning) and Robbie Power going to the line. Dressedtothenines jumped into contention coming to three out but wilted after the last to finish third with AP McCoy in the saddle at 6/1.

Recently-engaged Andrew McNamara, on board his 36th winner of the campaign, will be delighted with his percentage of the 35,750 first prize and said: “It’s the first time I’ve sat on her. She travelled well throughout. She probably missed one or two as she travelled so well.

“My future wife is a good friend of Dot Love so maybe that’s why I got the ride!”

Dot Love commented: “We were very happy with her beforehand and confident today.”

Assistant trainer Ciaran Murphy added: “She’s not the easiest trained. She had an entry at Cheltenham, but wasn’t right around that time.

“The owners have been very patient with her. We went to Limerick but the ground wasn’t ideal. Better ground is the key.

“She got the two and a half miles well and down the road that will be her trip. The ground helped her get it. Punchestown’s the plan and that will be it as she has been on the go since Galway.

“We’ll look forward to fences with her next season.” Ceol Rua the 5/2 favourite, finished fifth of the 12 runners.

Michael Graham