Hope Des Blins © Photo Healy Racing
The market may have suggested that she was without a hope (22s out to 50/1 before the off) but that was far from the case as Hope des Blins sprang a shock in the two-mile maiden hurdle.
The French-bred, who ran in two point-to-points and a bumper when trained in Britain by Francesca Nimmo, sat second as Carrigmoorna Elm made the running.
The 1/4 favourite Evergreen And Red tracked this pair but was let down by his jumping and couldn’t go with the winner when Danny Mullins drove her into the lead approaching the last. The five-year-old stayed on well to beat the market leader by two and three quarter lengths with Carrigmoorna Elm weakening to finish a further sixteen lengths back in third.
It was winner number 39 of a marvellous campaign for successful trainer John Ryan. Likewise the man on top has enjoyed a fine season and this 43rd winner leaves him just three off his best tally which he recorded in 2016/17.
John Ryan said: “She’s the real deal and she jumps fences really well. I was tempted to run her over fences straight away.
“She has a lovely pedigree. I’ve had her about six or seven months and Tom (Meagher, owner) is my cousin.
“Point-to-points in England didn’t work out for her and the saddle slipped when she ran in a bumper.”
Danny Mullins added: “I rode her in a schooling race at Nenagh a few months ago and she gave me a good feel.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
