Nicky Henderson trainer of Une Artiste© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the Irish National just thirty-five minutes earlier, Barry Geraghty quickly doubled up in the Grade 3 John and Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase, scoring aboard Une Artiste for his boss Nicky Henderson.
Just touched off by Byerley Babe at Thurles in January, the French-bred daughter of Alberto Giacometti got back to winning ways at Kempton in February, before finishing eighth behind Don Poli when reverting to hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival.
Sent off the 2/1 favourite here (available at 7/2 this morning and from 11/4 on-course), she chased the leaders throughout and was niggled along as the turned from home.
She improved to lead on the run to the last, and she kept on well on the level to see off the late challenge of stable mate Nadiya De La Vega (12/1) by half a length, with Burn And Turn a further two and three parts back in third at 9/1 under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington.
Nicky Henderson said afterwards: "When Nadiya De La Vega won this race last year I sat at home and cried. John and Chich were two of the greatest mates in the world.
“We came over to win the race and I didn’t go, so I knew after last year I had to be here.
“It is a great race to win and it is an emotional occasion.
“Ironically I had the first two and Jessica (Harrington) had the third, with everything that has happened recently (the recent passing of Johnny Harrington).
"They are a wonderful family and I’m proud to say I’ve known them for a long time."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
