Jumping Susie and Alex Harvey © Photo Healy Racing
Having won the previous race on the card, jockey Alex Harvey completed a quick double when making all on Jumping Susie to land the Tote Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan.
Winner of her maiden hurdle at Tramore in May, the John McConnell trained mare got no further than the second flight when unseating at Sligo last time.
Sent straight to the front from the off here, Harvey got his fractions right on the six-year-old, keeping enough in reserve when strongly pressed by Smiling Bess early in the straight.
The latter looked to be travelling marginally the better on the approach to the final flight but Jumping Susie came away from that obstacle quicker, going on to win by three-and-three-quarter-lengths.
“In fairness to her she's been very consistent. She's just learned how to win this year, so that's good,” said John McConnell.
“He gave her a great ride, he stacked them up and just gradually wound it up. I'd say that's her minimum trip, especially around here.
“She's a nice mare and she'll jump a fence, she jumped very well. There is more to look forward to, hopefully.
“She was too brave the last day and you can still see she was pretty brave there. She probably learned a little bit.
“She looks like she'll jump a fence the way she jumps hurdles and she could be even better over fences hopefully.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
