Only By Night and Sean Flanagan © Photo Healy Racing
Only By Night stepped up on an impressive debut success over fences when running out an easy winner of the Grade 2 Coolmore N.H. Sires Order Of St George Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase at Cork.
A 125-rated hurdler last term, the Gavin Cromwell trained six-year-old gave the impression that she could be an even better mare over fences when winning at the first attempt at Tipperary last month.
However, the 2/1 chance faced a much stiffer assignment on this occasion, taking on rivals that would have been rated higher over flights.
Making light of the task, Only By Night arrived at two out traveling easily under Sean Flanagan, before quickening up to lead Nara on the run to the last fence.
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Extending clear on a tight rein, the mare won hard held by three-and-three-quarter lengths.
Gavin Cromwell said: "She was good in Tipperary and has built on that. I thought today was coming plenty soon but with a race like this, you have to go for it.
"She is a very big mare, jumps very well and I'm looking forward to plenty more from her. The mares' novice chase (Grade 2) at Thurles in January would look to be her next race."
Paddy Power went 12/1(from 25/1) about Only By Night for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
