Adreamstillalive and David Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Progressive mare Adreamstillalive completed a hat-trick after wins at Tramore and Gowran when victorious in the Paddy Power Betting Shops Handicap Hurdle at Naas.
A 4/1 shot behind 7/2 joint market-leaders, Dylrow (5th) and Blast Of Koeman (10th), the successful eight-year-old daughter of Flemensfirth made all again under David Mullins.
The One For Luck Racing Syndicate-owned and Henry de Bromhead-trained victor asserted before the last, but she got that one wrong, opening the door for Lilshane
That Barry John Foley-ridden chestnut strongly pressed Adreamstillalive in the closing stages and just a head separated them at the line.
There was a gap of four and three parts of a length and a length back to the Gordon Elliott-trained pair, Landau and Sanibel Island in third and fourth.
"It was a great ride from David. He was pretty cool and I was wondering if he had dropped his whip. He told me she swished her tail the last time he hit her so he wasn't going to do it this time," said the winning trainer.
"She just put down on him at the last. She's funny and does a lot of ducking and diving but when she has to she keeps finding. It's not easy to win three on the trot.
"I'm delighted for her owners who are brilliant. They are from Kilkenny.
"She is going to be a lovely mare for fences next year as well. There are plenty of nice handicaps coming up."
Meanwhile on Identity Thief de Bromhead reported: "We might run him in Leopardstown next Sunday. We'll see how that goes and get that out of the way before we think about anything else. Cheltenham looks very unlikely. It's been frustrating."
On Petit Mouchoir he commented: "He seems in good form and is working well. I'm very happy with him."
(AM & EM)
