Rebel Rose (nearest) beats Volantis © Photo Healy Racing
Sent off a well-supported 4/1 second favourite, Rebel Rose landed the Kepak Handicap Hurdle to complete a double for Mark McDonagh after his win on Stealthy Tom in the feature.
Maybe Maths Paper One would have been no problem for the Clare man who decided to keep his mount on the inner, away from his rivals and closer to the unwatered Flat course, before letting her stride on in front approaching the home straight. Volantis threw down a potent challenge from two out but had to give best by two lengths to the daughter of Dylan Thomas.
The winner had struck in a Ballinrobe maiden last summer and was returning from nine months off.
“Mark gave her a brilliant ride. My plan was to go wide but he said 'no I'm going down the inside' so I left him to it,” said Mark Fahey who trains the seven-year-old for Swords Bloodstock Limited.
“I'm delighted for the lads that own her. I don't know what we'll do now, we were going to kick on over fences but we might give her another spin over hurdles.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
