Demi Plie (left) and Aine O'Connor beat Flirting Lesa© Photo Healy Racing
Demi Plie (2/1 fav), second over hurdles on the first day of the Harvest Festival last Sunday, went one place better on the seventh and final day of the meeting as Aine O’Connor guided her to success in the Shanahan Power (QR) Handicap Chase.
She hit the front travelling well just before taking off at the last which she guessed at, but she got away with the error and ran on to readily defeat Flirting Lesa (20/1) and Father Jed (5/1) by six and a half lengths and one and three quarter lengths.
The daughter of Mastercraftsman is now two from four over fences, to go with two wins over hurdles.
“I'm delighted for Aine, said winning trainer Padraig Roche.
“Since she came back from England she is with me most mornings, and is a great help to me in the yard. It's great to be able to give her a winner and she gave it a great ride.
“I'm amazed she doesn't get more rides as she's very good.
“She's a great old mare and loves jumping. She stays and she jumps. She can do both (hurdles and fences) and we'll see what the handicapper does.
“She will make a nice broodmare so if we could sneak a bit of black type it would be great. She loves that nice ground.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
