Billy's Hope upsets fav in mares chase

Billy’s Hope upset the odds laid about Asthuria when taking the opening Go Racing At Thurles Mares Beginners Chase.

Asthuria was sent off the 2/5 favourite although Billy’s Hope didn’t go off unsupported either as the Jessica Harrington-trained mare was cut into 7/1 (from 10/1) on track.

The hot-favourite set the pace under Paul Townend in this 2m2f event but was challenged early in the straight.

Robbie Power sent Billy’s Hope to the front approaching the final fence, and she kept on well on the run-in to score by three lengths.

The pair stretched 17 lengths clear of Mill Quest in third.

Mrs Harrington said, "In the spring when I was running her (over fences) she was jumping terrible but I did a lot of schooling with her and she got her confidence at Punchestown the other day. She started badly at the beginning but the further she went the more confident she got and it showed today.

"The fences are nice at Punchestown and are lovely here but I didn't think she'd beat the favourite myself but she is a good mare on her day.

"She is not really in love with very soft ground but as she has got older she has got stronger. We'll try and get black-type over fences somewhere along the line."

Power said, "Paul went a good gallop and the plan was to try and keep tabs on him. She winged the second last and she picked up better than the favourite.

"She had a good break and has come on well from her run at Punchestown."

(TW & AM)