Calvados, green cap, in pursuit of Eternal Presence© Photo Healy Racing
Calvados showed an aptitude for the jumping game when making a winning debut over flights in the opening 3yo maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe.
She maintained trainer John McConnell's fine recent form after he saddled a treble in Downpatrick yesterday.
The leader Eternal Presence attempted to kick on from his rivals after the second last. However, Calvados moved into second with three furlongs to travel and set about attempting to reel him in.
The pursuer made relentless progress to close on the leader at the final flight. Eternal Presence soon came under the whip and was claimed turning for home.
The new leader was ridden clear by Simon Torrens (on his last day with a 3lb claim) to come home by five and a half lengths. She was backed from 6/1 to 10/3. Project Two came through for second at an easy-to-back 13/2. Eternal Presence, the 6/4 favourite, weakened in third.
Torrens said: “Today is the last day I’m eligible to claim so I made the most of it!"
"Things couldn’t be going any better at the moment.
“She got the trip well and jumped well. John (McConnell) rang me beforehand and he was very confident that she’d run a big race. She did exactly what he thought she was going to do and it worked out well.”
“It’s lovely ground, it’s good ground but it’s safe.”
Calvados had been unplaced in her six runs on the flat.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
