Bluebell Diva steps at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Bluebell Diva opened the door to her rivals at the last in Gowran Park's Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle but she was driven home by Gavin Brouder to reward favourite backers.
The 7/2 shot stepped at the last in this extended two and a half miler and got it all wrong with Optional Mix closest in second sensing an opportunity.
Bluebell Diva then wandered slightly on the run-in, but was gathered together by Brouder and kept on best to see it out by two and a quarter lengths.
Optional Mix could make no late gains and held on to second at 5/1 from Slane Hill (4/1).
Trainer Mouse Morris said: "She is progressing nicely and will probably get further now. The penny is starting to drop. She is a little bit quirky, but she is getting there. She has a bit to learn yet and was running around a little bit.
"She ran a good race in Limerick (third) and the form is working out okay.
"We might push her up in trip a little bit to see if she will get the three miles.
"She has a beautiful pedigree and is a valuable mare."
This doubled her career total to two after she made the breakthrough at Clonmel in December.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
