Susie dazzles in opener at Thurles

Dazzling Susie ended a winnerless gap stretching back over two years when taking advantage of a good opportunity in the four-runner Holycross Mares Chase at Thurles.

The nine-year-old daughter of Stowaway appeared to have lost her way and was pulled up as recent as last Sunday in a €50,000 Grade B Handicap Chase at Cork.

However she bounced back to record her seventh career victory as regular partner Brian O’Connell adopted customary front-running tactics.

The 9/4 second favourite came home over five lengths clear of the well-backed 4/7 favourite Down Ace

The ‘jolly’ was well adrift of the pace-setter for much of the two and a quarter miles trip but closed to within about four lengths entering the straight.

However she couldn’t make any further headway approaching the last as Dazzling Susie kept on well in front.

Winning trainer John Phelan said, “She has been disappointing but she made up for it today. There was only four runners but a winner is a winner.

“She has a bit of an attitude, and recently she’s started to hit the top of her fences and its put her off. If there is a suitable race then we’ll run her again soon.”

(TW & AM)