Conor Orr© Photo Healy Racing
The Irish Jockeys Association Congratulate Downpatrick Mares Maiden Hurdle provided drama aplenty with Diamondinthemud coming out best when getting up in the final stride after a thrilling finish.
There were plenty still in contention as the 12 runners approached the final flight where Bella Bliss was one of three disputing the lead and going as well as any when making a horrendous mistake.
That left Neat Locality and 2/1 favourite Trendy Lady at the head of affairs, with the latter soon taking the advantage.
However, Diamondinthemud was making headway into third for Conor Orr early on the run-in and Nigel Slevin's charge finished best of all to just land the spoils right on the line.
Neat Locality could find no extra seven lengths back in third, with the luckless Bella Bliss in fourth.
Slevin said, "I think she has been second four times in the last year. Even one day there was a horse thrown out and she was third, and she ended up being second. Not winning out of turn.
"We were just afraid coming back quickly but we had to take a chance and come here.
"I'm delighted for the bunch of people that own her, they are from Portarlington. In fairness, they were willing everywhere we wanted to go. They got their reward.
"He (Conor Orr) just got there! He said he was going to try and keep her on the bridle until two out and have one go at them. In fairness, it worked."
Quotes by Michael Graham
