Cailin Annamh leads over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Cailin Annamh completed a fine four timer and her fifth win in six starts when winning the Grade 3 Grabel Mares Hurdle at Punchestown today, under a fine waiting ride from Barry Geraghty.
The manner of the mare's five length win, over Little King Robin was deceptively easy at the line but Geraghty needed to be at his patient best when Cailin Annamh was outpaced, in fourth place, before the straight. Geraghty produced the daughter of Definite Article with her challenge before the final flight and the pair skipped clear on the run-in.
Afterwards winning trainer Jessica Harrington said “she's been going since back in April and has never missed a beat and will go out for the winter now. She has got big black-type now and we'll bring her back in the spring.
“She's had a great time in the mares' races and I must thank the pattern committee for putting on such a lovely program. She had a great run of it during the summer and was able to take a step up in class each time and the races were all spread out nicely.
“Two miles two (furlongs) is too short for her and I was taking a chance today and she'll probably end up being a three-miles filly.”
Harrington's Takeyourcapoff filled third spot and also gained black-type and the trainer said “I'm also thrilled with her (Takeyourcapoff) and that's mission accomplished. She's going to the Tattersalls National Hunt Sale in November and she has a nice pedigree.”
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
