Rebel Ivy and Sean O Keeffe win for trainer James Motherway © Photo Healy Racing
Rebel Ivy upset some better fancied rivals when running out a surprise winner of the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cailin Alainn Mares' Hurdle at Limerick.
Off the track since Punchestown in April, the James Motherway-trained mare was fit and ready for this assignment. Held up early on, as Heaven Help Us cut out the running, the seven-year-old moved into contention leaving the back straight on the final circuit.
Sean O'Keeffe proved Rebel Ivy to challenge the long-time leader on the run to the second last, landing in front and sprinting clear. A big jump at the final flight sealed the race and the all-important blacktype win.
Winning trainer James Motherway said; "I'm over the moon. It was her first run of the season, we knew it was a hot race and I told Sean (O'Keeffe) to ride for a place. He said it went easy all the way and he had loads of mare coming down the home straight.
"She always threatened to be a really nice mare and but mentally, has always been fractious. Since her break she has become more relaxed and chilled out and stronger as well.
"She had a super run at the Punchestown festival and her form was there in the background. It was hard to over confident but it is great to blacktype but I'm delighted for dad and mam, who are at home."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
