For Bill the best of the mares

She was receiving 8Ibs from Blazing Tempo and a mistake by that one two out ended her chance as For Bill galloped on resolutely under Paul Carberry (deputising for Davy Russell – got a fall from Mossbank in the previous race) to land the Grade 3 Mares Ask & Getaway Coolmore NH Sires European Breeders Fund Novice Chase at Thurles.

As usual Morning Supreme set a searching gallop under Emmet Mullins but Carberry was keen to make sure there was no slacking and he was up there to force it with a circuit left to travel. For Bill had Blazing Tempo on the stretch when she got it wrong two out and a good safe leap at the last from For Bill sealed the issue in her favour. Cool Quest stayed on for third whilst the aforementioned Morning Supreme fell at the second last.

Successful trainer Mick Winters said: "Donie (Sheehan the owner, 84yo) was faster than the mare to book Carberry – he had him booked nearly as soon as Davy (Russell, got a fall off Mossbank in the previous race) had hit the ground!

"When you build this mare up you can nearly run her every fortnight and turn her out in between. I knew she was right coming here today and the run the last day turned her inside out.

"There is a race for her at Limerick on the 13th of March and that would be the aim. Ideally though I'd like to give her a run in two or three weeks time before that."