Bioluminescence with Mark Walsh in the plate© Photo Healy Racing
Bioluminescence was notably strong in the market for the 2m4f mares' maiden hurdle in Punchestown and she duly ground out the victory.
The Walk In The Park mare had seen the form of her runner-up berths in a mares' bumper at Limerick and a mares' maiden hurdle in Navan well franked which led to her being backed down to 4/7 favourite.
She raced prominently and merely had to be shaken up after a mistake two out to get back on terms with Lady Bluebird
That leader was soon claimed and she had Paggane beaten before the last, however, track newcomer Tareze (who won her point-to-point at Tattersalls in April) stayed on in second approaching the final obstacle.
She kept finding along the run-in but Bioluminescence was only doing enough to keep the 9/1 runner-up at bay and came in by a comfortable three and a-quarter lengths. Paggane dropped 11 lengths further back in third at 9/4.
Cromwell said: “She's a three-mile chaser in the making, she ploughed through that ground and it's nice to get her head in front.”
When it was put to him that she had run into a couple of decent sorts he added: “She did but, please God, she's okay herself. When she goes chasing we'll see the best of her. She was a bit leery in front.”
Paddy Power trimmed Bioluminescence from 20/1 to 16/1 (non runner money back) for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Bioluminescence involves the production and emission of light by a living organism.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
