Annie G is clear on the home turn © Photo Healy Racing
Annie G (7/2), the only mare in the line-up, was too strong for her six rivals when making all in the Tote Placepot Pays More Novice Hurdle (Listed).
A wide margin winner of her maiden at Listowel last month having given the smart Gypsy Island a fright the time before, Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount had everything off the bridle after two out and was nicely clear coming to the last.
She bunny-hopped that final flight but there was no harm done and the daughter of Getaway passed the post eight lengths ahead of runner-up Suprise Package (8/1) with the 9/4 favourite Dark Voyager one-paced back in third.
Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said: "She was really good, is a lovely mare who is progressing all the time. Darragh was really good on her, I didn't think he was going fast enough early on and next thing they were all struggling behind her - he was brilliant on her.
"She doesn't have to go from the front but it suits us in a novice hurdle.
"Today she didn't jump so well and was a bit disappointing (jumping-wise) and Darragh said she was on her wrong lead all the time. We had a suspicion she was better left-handed than right-handed but we got away with it and there are plenty nice left-handed tracks.
"She has a full novice hurdle season ahead of her and her half-brother (Westerner Point) was a good chaser. She is a really exciting mare and fair play to the lads, they have been very patient."
Quotes from Thomas Weekes
