Aunt Nora (left) with eventual runner-up Blazing West© Photo Healy Racing
Aunt Nora showed the benefit of a couple of outings over hurdles to open her account in the 2m4f mares' maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Brian Hayes adopted forceful tactics on the lightly-raced eight-year-old, and she stayed on gamely under pressure from two out.
The well-backed 9/2 chance (from 6/1) kept on to hold Blazing West by a length and three quarters, with Queens Wild another half-length back in third.
The winner only started her racing career just over two months ago but is starting to make up for lost time.
Winning trainer Pat Fahy said, ""I only got her to train late last year and couldn't get her forward enough to run.
"We got her ready for a bumper at Punchestown but I told the owner it was a waste of time and to throw her in field. I wondered if he would ever ring me back but luckily he did and she's a lovely type.
"There is no trying to settle her or anything. When you want her to go she does and when you want her to stop she does. She's so straight-forward.
"She jumps like a chaser and the last day she was losing lengths. She's a natural chaser. We hadn't the experience to get stuck into her early but she had the experience today.
"I'm delighted. Her bumper form wasn't great but Kate Harrington rode her in a ladies race and although she was beaten nearly 20 lengths she said she was the nicest filly she'd rode in a long time.
"I wanted something to keep the owner happy and she saved my bacon. The first run over hurdles she showed she had ability and she won today which is all important.
"This is only a preparation for chasing. I've never had as nice a filly to go on with and hopefully she stays sound. She's a three mile plus chaser. She doesn't have the pace for two miles but can go that relentless gallop."
(GC & AM)
