Bashful Beauty and Jack Kennedy on their way to catching leader Eight Till Late© Photo Healy Racing
The sensible decision was taken to withdraw 7/4 shot Another Rebel at the start, as he wouldn't line up for Brian Hayes in the J.B. Staunton Memorial Chase. The spoils then went the way of the course winner, Bashful Beauty under Jack Kennedy at Ballinrobe.
Another Rebel's withdrawal necessitated a 35 Cent Rule 4 on all bets, but that'll have mattered little to Bashful Beauty's owner/breeder, Paul Mullins, and trainer, Norman Lee.
A break of 109 days from action for Bashful Beauty proved no barrier to success, as the front runner came again after being headed between the final two, by favourite, Eight Till Late
Kennedy wasn't to be denied on the successful grey, and he forced him back in front near the line to win by half a length.
"I wasn't really expecting that. I thought Michael Winters' horse (Another Rebel) was the one to beat so when he came out it was great," stated Lee.
"Jack said he was going to make all and try to get things his own way, and he did. He jumped from fence to fence and he was in great form at home.
"I honestly didn't think he'd win today, but we'll take it. He won a chase here this day last year and he has been a great little servant, we are delighted.
"He is lucky little horse for us, he is tough. It's the lads at home that do all the work, it's easy for me to be doing the talking but I've three great lads at home and we are delighted if we get a few winners.
"We might go to Navan on Saturday for a hurdle race. He might just go there for a bit of nicer ground.
"You can't beat an honest horse who jumps well. It's great for Paul (Mullins) who has been a lucky owner for us.
"This horse lives outside. It's the only place that suits him, he can't be inside. He is like a goat, he is healthy."
K.C. Sexton, rider of Green Thirty Two trained by S.J.Mahon, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having made a respiratory noise in running.
(DM & EM)
