Mae's Choice and Paul Carberry (right) jump the last with Gorgeous Sixty (pink colors) leading© Photo Healy Racing
The Grade 3 Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association Fillies Scheme EBF Mares Hurdle was an incident packed contest with victory going to the Gordon Elliott trained Mae's Choice (33/1), completing a double for jockey Paul Carberry. Shadow Eile was withdrawn at the start having received a cut from a kick, while favourite Une Artiste veered badly left at the start and refused to take part.
At the business end, Gorgeous Sixty looked likely to give Willie Mullins his tenth winner of the season when sent to the front at the final flight. However, Carberry produced Mae's Choice with perfect timing to edge ahead close home for a three parts of a length win.
Afterwards Elliott revealed “I didn't want to run her! I thought it was a waste of time running her on that ground and she wants better ground. Micheal (Sammon, owner), who lives not far from my yard and is a great supporter of mine, said 'feck it, we're going racing for the bit of craic and we'll run her!' All the credit must go to Micheal!
“Mae's Choice was in good nick and Paul gave her a great ride and it worked out!”
