Aurora Nova and Gary Carroll. © Photo Healy Racing
Recent course and distance runner-up Aurora Nova went one place better when landing the Fairyhouse Handicap at the County Meath track.
Somewhat unlucky in running last time, when trapped on the inside rail over a furlong out, the Andrew McNamara trained mare proved much better suited to coming wide from her high berth this evening.
Held up early on by Gary Carroll, the jockey who was completing a double, produced the 9/2 chance with a well timed challenge down the outside over a furlong from home.
Quickening up smartly despite leaning to her right, Aurora Nova headed leader Eruption well inside the last 200 yards, staying on to win by two-and-a-half lengths.
Andy McNamara said: “She’s a very tough, genuine filly but makes life hard for herself. She is generally slow out of the stalls but wasn’t too bad today.
“She was unlucky the last day as she was coming with a run and the gap closed.
“She showed a nice turn of foot and hopefully there will be another day with her.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
