Shesonlyahorse (maroon & white) leads Crocus Bay (eventual third) close home© Photo Healy Racing
Shesonlyahorse made the long journey down from Lackagh, Co Galway worthwhile for her connections as she took the Ani-Pets Veterinary Clinic Novice Handicap Hurdle under Mark Enright.
Trained by Kevin McDonagh, the 7yo daughter of Catcher In The Rye has been a consistent performer this season and she won her maiden hurdle at Galway in October.
Sent off at 8/1 (was 12/1 this morning with Paddy Powers) she made virtually all and despite being pressed from the second last, she stayed on well on the run-in to hold on and win by three parts of a length. Popmurphy finished fast to take second under Davy Russell for Ross O’Sullivan at 4/1 while Crocus Bay was just a head back in third at 16/1 for Paddy Mangan and Edward O’Grady.
Kevin McDonagh said afterwards: "She won handy enough there. We will probably run her in one more hurdle race and then go back over fences."
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)