Who's That jumps the last under Sean McDermott© Photo Healy Racing
The Liam Cusack trained Who's That claimed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle for the second year in-a-row.
Without a win since her success twelve months ago, the daughter of Kalanisi hinted at a return to form by finishing fifth to Ice Cold Soul over the course at Christmas.
Available at 20/1 last night she attracted some market support and went off a 12/1 chance in the colours of David Cornwall.
Having raced mainly towards rear she made good headway on the outer from the second last, and travelled strongly to lead on the approach to the final flight.
She was then ridden and just held off the late challenge of Leaders Questions by a short head.
The runner-up was returned at 20/1 under Phillip Enright for Robert Tyner, while Barnahash Rose (7/1 from 11's last night), who also kept on well, was a further two and a half lengths back in third under Ambrose McCurtin for Jonathan Sweeney. Elusive Ivy and Pride Of The Braid were sent off the 9/2 joint-favourites and they both disappointed, finishing tenth and eleventh respectively.
Liam Cusack said in the aftermath: "The line just came in time. She probably got there a shade soon. She travelled very well and jumped the last well and she was there.
"She probably got a little bit lonely and the line just came in time. It's a great pot to win for a mare, she won it last year and she was three pound higher today.
"The second, third and fourth from last year have all done well since. She ran a nice race here at Christmas when the ground was very testing, and the second horse in that has won twice since.
"She was always going to come back for this race but after the 7mm of rain overnight I was worried.
"It's lovely for a small trainer like me to have a winner here today.
"She might go over fences and it would be lovely to get a bit of blacktype with her.
"Her owner lives near Punchestown and we will probably give her a bit of a break now and go for one of the handicaps at Punchestown."
Sean McDermott added: "I ended up getting there a little too soon but she is not the simplest mare to ride as she runs on and off it.
"She just travelled to the front and the other horse didn't carry me as far as I thought she would.
"She just tired but in fairness when I got stuck into her she battled well. I thought Good As Gold would carry me a little bit further and I was keen not to let the boys get a run through so I just had to close the gaps on them a little.
"She might have drifted a little but I don’t think it made a difference in the end. It's lovely to have a winner on a day like today."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the home straight involving Who's That, ridden by S.G. McDermott, winner, Leaders Questions, ridden by P.T. Enright, placed second, and Good As Gold (GB), ridden by J.M. Moore, placed fourth, where it appeared Leaders Questions suffered interference. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judges' placings and took no further action.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Pride Of The Braid, trained by John E. Kiely, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal .
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Elusive Ivy, trained by Gavin Cromwell, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal .
D.N. Russell, rider of Pride Of The Braid, trained by John E. Kiely, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran disappointingly for no apparent reason.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
