Darrens Hope and Kevin Brouder (near side) tackle eventual third Sayce Gold (centre) at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Darrens Hope (8s into 13/2) won the Kerry Group Irish EBF Shannon Spray Mares Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) under Kevin Brouder.
The daughter of Oscar, a Listed winner at Cork earlier in the campaign and third to Cheltenham hopeful Black Tears on her previous start, came through to challenge at the last and led on the run-in.
She stayed on well to beat Ballyshannon Rose (8/1) by two and three quarter lengths with the front-running Sayce Gold (10/3) a further three quarters of a length back in third.
The winner is very much the stable star for Cappoquin trainer Robert Murphy, who owns the 7-year-old homebred.
"I'm over the moon," said Murphy.
"She is a fine mare and I knew there was a good one in her and she was third in this race last year.
"We were hoping the ground would suit her today and she was lame a week before her second-last race. She was perfect today and was at home on that ground.
"We'll go over fences next season and we'll look to Fairyhouse or Punchestown next."
Quotes from Thomas Weekes
