Diesel the fuel for the busy mare

As Is She Diesel was enjoying a feature race win at Ballinrobe last evening, Sean Flanagan was having to pick himself up and dust himself off after a fall from the fatally injured Popboru. Tonight the Wexford rider took the reins on Is She Diesel and she made it a couple of days to remember for connections when taking the McHale Pro Glide Mower Range Rated Novice Hurdle.

Carrying a 4Ib winner's penalty and backed from 9/2 into 7/2 Is She Diesel, owned locally by Paul Mullins, again showed a decisive change of gear leaving the back straight.

This time the Seamus Fahey-trained British-bred eventually got the better of Dorans River by a length and a quarter. They left Act In Time fifteen lengths back in third.

"That went well thank God, she stayed down last night, we went home. There is something not right about that!" said Fahey.

"That probably just helped her a little bit. I'd say we will probably be heading to Galway with her now after this. 

"Yesterday I was a bit concerned and today I was even more so.

"You just don't know what the race has taken out of her. Even though she hadn't a hard race, we couldn't be sure what it took out of her until she went out there again today.

"She only had a feather weight on her back last night. I don't know what way Noel O'Brien (handicapper) is going to view this now. It's nice to get two pots.

"I chatted to Noel yesterday and she was to go up eleven pounds for yesterday. We just took our chance with her and it worked out."

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Fridaynightlights trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post race.

R. Walsh, rider of Fridaynightlights trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled during this race.

(DM & EM)