Brandy Love takes Grade 1 Mares Novice Hurdle in fine style Brandy Love benefitted from a patient ride by Paul Townend to land the Grade 1 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse. The Willie Mullins-trained daughter of Jet Away spoiled her chance in a Grade 3 here last time when jumping violently left and subsequently missed out on a trip to the Cheltenham Festival after a minor setback. However, the six-year-old put it all together in this 2m4f event with Townend at pains to get some cover and avoid a repeat of her previous antics. The winner’s stablemate Hors Piste built up a sizeable lead by halfway but was reeled before the penultimate flight as 15/8 favourite Love Envoi emerged as the chief danger. Brandy Love jumped slightly left at the final flight when produced to challenge and the 9/2 chance was driven clear after edging over to the stands’ side rail to beat the favourite by all of eight lengths. Hors Piste finished a further length-and-three-quarters back in third. Mullins said, “Paul did a fantastic job to keep her straight and produce her as he did. The last day she gave away the race here. “It was a great race, the Cheltenham winner was here and she beat her fair and square. “This mare has a lot of ability and I think if we can get her back going left-handed it would be better. I’d imagine that will be it for this season. “We’ll see what her owner wants to do - if he wants to keep racing or breed from her. She is a good racemare but does drift left and that is not ideal. “She had a minor problem that kept her out of Cheltenham. This race is more prestigious for breeding being a Grade 1 so I’m delighted for her owner.” Townend said, "I didn't want to be as far back as I was when the tapes went up but I couldn't give her a kick in the belly. I knew I had the ones that mattered in front of me so was always happy. "I walked the track earlier so was always conscious that the rail was there if she drifted across. "She isn't easy, even at home but we are learning about her all the time and she has serious ability." Paddy Power cut Brandy Love into 7/1 (from 14/1) for the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham next March.
