Shantou Princess and Keith Donoghue© Photo Healy Racing
Well-backed Shantou Princess (morning 12/1, returned 4/1f) won Punchestown’s concluding See You On New Years Eve Handicap Hurdle (Div II) today, scoring for in-form trainer Gavin Cromwell and jockey Keith Donoghue.
Previously successful in a point-to-point for Ellmarie Holden, the five-year-old mare today improved on a handicap debut last month to comfortably defeat runner-up Aurea Fortuna by 4.75 lengths, in the 19-runner race.
Cromwell commented “she won a point-to-point and the step up in trip was a big help to her. Keith was good and confident and forward on her
“She was long at the last couple but got away with it: she's only a small thing and is brave.
“There is a 0-110 handicap at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day so we might look at something like that next.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
