Jade De Grugy (right) beating Spindleberry© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins saddled ten of the 17 runners in the Grade 1 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse and it was Jade De Grugy the 7/4 favourite and choice of stable jockey Paul Townend, that came out on top.
The daughter of Doctor Dino tasted defeat for the first time when fourth just over two weeks ago at the Cheltenham Festival and had to dig deep here to land the spoils.
Stablemate Spindleberry looked set to cause a 25/1 surprise when leading approaching the final flight but Jade De Grugy found plenty under pressure on the run-in to eventually score by two and a quarter lengths. Jetara could find no extra on the run-in a further two and three-quarter lengths away in third.
Mullins said, “That was a huge performance coming back from Cheltenham, she was very tough.
“Paul didn’t think he was going well a lot of the way but it just shows what sort of engine she has.
“It’s tough luck on Spindleberry. I thought she had it won at the last but as we saw yesterday so many races were lost between the last hurdle and the line.
“The extra half-mile was definitely a help to her and she does look like a two and a half mile mare.
“I’d imagine we’ll look at Punchestown with her now.”
