Lady left clear to land Opera Hat The feature event at Naas this afternoon may have lost it's star turn, after the defection of Vroum Vroum Mag, but the race still produced a dramatic finish. Just four went to post in the two-mile BBA Ireland Ltd Opera Hat Mares Chase and they were all upsides going to the second last. Even-money favourite Whatwillwecallher jumped into a narrow lead at the penultimate fence but was soon strongly pressed by Jacksonslady, also carrying owner JP McManus' colours. Whatwillwecallher appeared to be travelling better going to the last but crashed out leaving Jacksonslady, and Mark Walsh, clear of the other two rivals. Philip Dempsey's stable stalwart went on to record a 12-length success over long-time leader Is Herself About. "She jumped great and the one thing she does is battle," said Dempsey afterwards. "She's not EBF qualified so she has been missing out on a lot of mares' races. "She is going to be covered this year and will make a grand broodmare." Vroum Vroum Mag, forecasted to go off at long odds-on, was taken out before racing lame. (Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
