Direct Image lands the hat-trick In-form Direct Image continued her winning spree in the inaugural running of the Lorna Brooke Ireland v Britain (Q.R) Challenge Handicap Steeplechase over three miles at Fairyhouse. The eight-year-old mare brought up her hat-trick after victories in a handicap hurdle at Navan and a handicap chase in Punchestown. The 5/2 joint favourite worked her way to the front after the third last and travelled well for Michael O'Sullivan. Her main rival, Vodka Society, jumped left at the penultimate obstacle and Direct Image readily kicked on before the last. She popped it well and stormed seven lengths clear to have the handicapper scratching his head. The other 5/2 joint favourite, Favori Logique, tried to close coming to the last but wasn't fluent there and could make no impression in second. He was six and a half lengths in front of 17/2 chance Shanroe Al C. Trainer Robert Tyner's wife Mary said: “That's three on the trot now for her so that's good. “We were hoping that they wouldn't get any rain here and everything came off right. “She'll probably go on her winter holidays now and wait for the better ground next year. “She did it even nicer than we thought. She didn't jump great early on but she warmed into it and she was fine. “The owners are delighted, they can't believe that they are after having winners again. They are shocked.” The Irish-based riders team won the competition as they were on board the first four horses home. Amateur jockey Lorna Brooke passed away after a fall at Taunton in April. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
