Concertista and Sean O'Keeffe jumping the last© Photo Healy Racing
Concertista made it two from two over fences when taking the featured Grade 2 BoyleSports Irish EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase at Limerick.
The daughter of Nathaniel also scored at Grade 2 level on her first start over fences at Cork earlier this month and justified short-priced favouritism here. Kitty Galore set a searching pace building up a sizeable lead from flagfall and was only reeled at the penultimate fence.
The Willie Mullins-trained 1/2 favourite jumped to the front at this point and, despite a slight mistake at the last, kept on well under Sean O’Keeffe to beat Darrens Hope by four lengths.
The pair drew 23 lengths clear of Fizzlestick in third.
The task was made easier when 11/4 second favourite Sayce Gold unfortunately took a heavy fall at the sixth fence suffering a fatal injury.
O’Keeffe said, "She was obviously very high class over hurdles and I was very happy with her jumping today. She stepped forwards a lot jumping-wise and fitness-wise from her first run.
"At the top of the hill Kitty Galore had a good lead but my mare was picking up loads and I knew turning into the straight my mare would pick her up easy. I was always confident on her and she was good and clever at the last.
"Her class shows through and Willie has done a very good job keeping her sweet. Hopefully she will improve again and it was a very nice performance."
The sponsors left Concertista unchanged at 5/2 favourite for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
(TW & AM)
