The Paul Nolan trained Shuil Aris recorded his second win, and her first for almost four years, when proving what looked an unlikely winner, in-running, of the opening Ratoath Mares Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse today.
Ridden by Ruby Walsh, the daughter of Anshan was under pressure to hold her position in mid-division from the third last flight. However Shuil Aris gradually wore down her rivals, and although she jumped the final flight in fifth position, stayed on well to get her head in front close home, denying Mary's Little Vic by a neck.
Following Shuil Aris' win, Nolan joked “the result was never in doubt!”
Joncol's trainer added “Shuil Aris missed two years through injury but had been showing she retained her ability on the gallops at home. However, she became very worked up prior to her latest run and never traveled a yard in the race, before being pulled up. We took a chase reverting to a mares' maiden hurdle here and it paid off even. We'll go back chasing when the ground improves again.”
