Champella (nearest) and My Design jump the last together © Photo Healy Racing
Champella made it three wins from six starts, as she battled gamely to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle.
The winner of a bumper at Down Royal in June, she struck at the same venue in August, scoring on what was just her second try over flights.
Encountering heavy conditions for the first time this afternoon, the Ross O’Sullivan trained four-year-old was available at 20/1 in early shows (before the defection of stable companion Sea Sessions), eventually going off a 6/1 chance.
Settled towards rear by Tom Harney, the chestnut took closer order from four out and improved to join the front-running My Design on the run to the second last.
The pair had a good battle from there, with Champella getting on top in the closing stages, going on to prevail by a length-and-three-quarters.
The aforementioned My Design had to settle for second under Kieran Buckley for Declan Queally, with this one returned the well-backed 7/4 favourite (5/1 early).
The front pair went 12 lengths clear of Return To Base in third.
"She is a tough out and is actually a good ground mare really," Harney revealed.
"You'd ride her at home on the sand and say she wants it quick. I took my time everywhere today and actually thought I was getting there too soon coming down the hill. She was tough and had to battle but found more and battled away well.
"I was worried about the ground and I thought a good run would be finishing in the first three. I didn’t think we would be in the winners enclosure.
"She has had a long season and is going to go home for a break but she might be back in a little bit earlier than we had planned."
