Double upsets the odds to leave connections in the Pink

There was a bit of a ‘boil over’ in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle at Wexford with the two outsiders upsetting their more fancied rivals as Double Pink ultimately took the five-runner event in decisive fashion.

The 5/4 favourite Mollys Mango set the pace until falling away tamely along with Whatcouldhavebeen entering the straight.

Double Pink, who was nibbled at before the off from 16/1 into 12/1, led after two out and kept on strongly for Brian Hayes to beat 28/1 shot Good As Hell by 11 lengths. Belle The Lioness was a further four and a quarter lengths back in third.

Winning trainer Donie Murphy said, “She was just beaten on the nod at Tipperary and that was a good run. I was a bit worried about the ground here. She is not the easiest of rides but Brian settled her very well and it was probably the winning of the race really.

"They went strong and she was relaxed. She popped away and had a little bit left at the end. I left Brian do what he wanted today. He knows her now, he is after riding her a few times.

"I don't really have any plan for her, she might go to Leopardstown at Christmas. She will probably go to a handicap there if the handicapper isn't too hard on her, we'll see. Today was the first time she settled in a race and the fact she can be settled now opens up more options for her.

"We have schooled her over fences and she jumps them well. It's a way we might go with her later in the season, maybe in the spring, we'll see."

Quotes by Donal Murphy