Isabella springs 20/1 surprise as Wrap flops

Isabella Liberty sprang a 20/1 surprise in the Sheridan Electric Handicap Hurdle, scoring under Luke Dempsey for Gordon Elliott and the Twenty Syndicate.

A winner of a hurdle at Fakenham in October of 2014 when trained by Robert Eddery, the five-year-old daughter of Solider Of Fortune made her debut for Elliott at Fairyhouse in November after she was bought by Elliott and Olly Murphy for just 4,500 guineas at Tattersalls in July.

After showing little for Elliott to date, she was sent off at 20/1 this evening.

Settled towards rear she made progress through the field after three out. She was pushed along in seventh after the next, and made good headway into second before the last.

She was ridden to the front inside the final 100 yards, and kept on well from there to score by two and a quarter lengths.

The front-running Courtly Conduct (15/2) had to settle for second under Paul Townend for Des McDonogh, while Esta Quercus (20/1) was four lengths back in third under Robbie Colgan for Iggy Madden. Shabra's Bertolini (5/1) completed the placings a further three and a quarter lengths back in fourth under Davy Russell for Anthony McCann. That's A Wrap Mark Walsh for Tom Mullins, was sent off the well-supported 9/4 favourite (from 3's on-course) and he faded tamely after three out, eventually pulling up before the last.

Gordon Elliott was represented by Olly Murphy afterwards and he said: "That was a nice surprise but the bit of better ground helped big time.

"She's not been overly straight-forward to train.

"Luke gave her a lovely ride and she'll give the lads plenty of fun over the summer."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined That's A Wrap (GB), trained by Thomas Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have lost a front shoe in running but was otherwise post race normal. Samples were taken for analysis.

M.P. Walsh, rider of That's A Wrap (GB) trained by Thomas Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having stopped quickly in running.

D.N. Russell, rider of Shabra's Bertolini trained by Anthony McCann, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was outpaced in the back straight but stayed on at the finish.

The Stewards granted permission for Wrap Star (Ire) to run in this race without the declared tongue strap after the animal became fractious at the start

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy