Naughtinesse delivers on sentimental day for Fowler

Naughtinesse (10/3) built upon a promising debut at Punchestown to oblige in the bumper that closed out Fairyhouse's card.

She stayed on well at Punchestown in May to get to within a length and a half of that winner who has since won another bumper and is now rated 116 over hurdles.

In this assignment, Tom Hamilton sent her after newcomer Shakermaker in the final quarter of a mile and she picked him off a furlong and a half out.

She went on in the final furlong and hit the line four and three quarter lengths clear of Shakermaker (11/1). Klarc Kent kept on at the same pace for third at 5/2 (drifted out from 13/8).

Trainer Lorna Fowler said: “Sometimes you think when you have a day which is full of sentiment like today, with the Fowler race (Grade 3 John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase), wouldn't it be great if it all fits and it did fit.

“I didn't target this race specifically, I was very much targeting her for Christmas and I could have run her at Punchestown yesterday but decided to wait for today.

“We had her pretty ready, not over the top I hope but I wanted her to run well. I thought the ground might just be a bit too tacky for her but she was absolutely fine with it.

“She's very professional and the family are 'never say die'. Her sister Politesse is much bigger, she's very different but similar also. They give it everything and are so tough.

“There is no point putting her in a novice hurdle at this stage and all being well, off the back of that she probably justifies going to the Dublin Racing festival.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson