It's not often that Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy combine for 28/1 winners but that was the starting price of Faux Fur who landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle. 

Placed in summer bumpers at Perth and Cork and fifth against geldings on last month's hurdles debut at Navan, the French-bred filly led before two out and found enough to hold the staying-on Rachel's Secret by half a length. 

"She was very keen in Fairyhouse and the saddle slipped," explained Kennedy regarding the four-year-old's latest pulled-up effort.

"She was extremely keen again today, but I kind of can't believe the way she kept going after how keen she was on that ground. Hopefully she will learn to race properly and she will be a nice horse then.  

"The first day I rode her at Navan she gave me a great spin but maybe it lit her up or something. I was eating biscuits last night to get this smaller saddle out for today as I thought it would sit better on her.

It's great to get her head in front and I'm delighted for her owners Brendan and Angela Scully as well.

"She is extremely tough to be that hard on herself and be able to keep going and find that little bit more when the second horse came to her."

Quotes from Donal Murphy