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Aurora Nova powers home to give Carroll Fairyhouse double

Aurora Nova and Gary Carroll. Aurora Nova and Gary Carroll.
© Photo Healy Racing

Recent course and distance runner-up Aurora Nova went one place better when landing the Fairyhouse Handicap at the County Meath track.

Somewhat unlucky in running last time, when trapped on the inside rail over a furlong out, the Andrew McNamara trained mare proved much better suited to coming wide from her high berth this evening.

Held up early on by Gary Carroll, the jockey who was completing a double, produced the 9/2 chance with a well timed challenge down the outside over a furlong from home.

Quickening up smartly despite leaning to her right, Aurora Nova headed leader Eruption well inside the last 200 yards, staying on to win by two-and-a-half lengths.

Andy McNamara said: “She’s a very tough, genuine filly but makes life hard for herself. She is generally slow out of the stalls but wasn’t too bad today.

“She was unlucky the last day as she was coming with a run and the gap closed.

“She showed a nice turn of foot and hopefully there will be another day with her.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.

1st
9/2
Tote €5.50 €1.70
2nd
2.5L
7/2Fav
€1.10
3rd
3.25L
18/1
€3.70
4th
hd
12/1
€3.60
About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.