Charlie's Vic (2nd from right) jumps the last with Mae's Choice (farside), Carrig Millie and Our Girl Salley© Photo Healy Racing
Point-to-point winner Charlie's Vic has always been a good mare and on her first start over racecourse fences the daughter of Old Vic justified the confidence of those that backed her into 15/2 from 10s for the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares Beginners Chase at Naas.
Odds-on favourite Our Girl Salley again did nearly everything right here but not for the first-time since she went chasing a doughty rival just held her off on the run for home, Charlie's Vic in this case prevailing by a neck.
Noel Kelly trains the Derek Fox-ridden Charlie's Vic and he said: "I always thought chasing was going to be her game. I thought it was a brilliant ride – he dropped out and did what he was told as he always does.
"He came late and timed it well. I think she was slightly over the top when she ran at Punchestown in the spring and we had plenty of confidence in her coming here today.
"We'll look for a mares novice chase for her now.
"The stable's in good form. We had two seconds earlier this week (Mighty Whitey and Cilliseal at Ayr on Wednesday)." (GC & EM)
