Grade 3 glory for Dempsey's Sansrisk

Sansrisk was another to justify solid market support at Down Royal, as she landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle.

Touching 9/1 in early shows for this extended two mile Grade 3, the Philip Dempsey-trained five-year-old eventually went off at just 7/2.

Settled in second by Donagh Meyler, the David L'Estrange-owned bay took closer order from three out and soon improved to dispute the lead.

While she made a mistake at the next, the now three time winner was ridden and gained a narrow lead approaching the final flight, stretching clear on the run-in to score by three and a half lengths.

Not fluent at the last, the front-running Royal Hollow (4/1 from 8s early) had to settle for second under Cian Quirke, with the Ken Budds-trained Stormalong (18/1) three-quarters of a length away in third.

Drifting from early shows of 13/8 to a starting price of 11/4, market leader Savante was a disappointing fifth.

"We are thrilled with that," Dempsey enthused.

"She hit the second last a good clout and the way she came back from it to win.

"We always thought a good bit of her.

"She had very good form if you go through it. She is not a big filly, but she is a well-bred filly mind.

"All her runs are good and she was probably unlucky not to have won a bumper earlier.

"Yes, I'd say that would probably be the plan (put her away for the spring) because she definitely doesn't want heavy ground. We won't abuse her, certainly not.

"We might dream of Cheltenham and see maybe a run like Navan."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham