Lucy Van Pelt (left) and JJ Slevin jumping the last© Photo Healy Racing
Lucy Van Pelt found plenty for pressure to get the better of Thefaithfulindian in division two of the Bar One Racing € 50 Free Bet Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown.
An extended two miles was the trip for this race for horses rated 80-95 who hadn't been first, second or third in their last hurdle race.
Lucy Van Pelt led this big field approaching the home bend but Thefaithfulindian was ridden to head her before the last flight.
Thefaithfulindian shifted to her left jumping it but still led narrowly on the run-in, however, JJ Slevin drove Lucy Van Pelt up on the inner in the final 100 yards and she stayed on well to pull a length and a quarter clear at the line.
She certainly wasn't unbacked at 25/1 having been available at 80/1 this morning.
Runner-up Thefaithfulindian, in a first-time hood, went off at 20/1. Dylan Oak was backed down to 11/2 favourite and finished third, in front of Our Bobby (17/2).
Winning trainer Peter Maher said, “She’s well bred, a half-sister to The Last Samuri, and I knew she’d stay.
“She was making a noise and I got her wind done. At that level she is a grand fun mare.
“She got a bad fall in Galway and her jumping was bad after that. She just wasn’t confident but seems to be back on the right track.
“She’s owned by Patrick (McCann, Racing Post photographer) and my wife (Caroline Woods). We might go down the cross country route with her but we’ll see what Patrick wants to do.”
(Michael Graham and Alan Magee)
