Brides Hill © Photo Healy Racing
Brides Hill (15/8) continued her winning run over fences this season in the Hanlon Concrete EBF Glencarraig Lady Mares Chase.
Paul Townend was aggressive out in front on 11/8 favourite Allegorie De Vassy but Sean Flanagan kept the leader in his sights and moved up to challenge on the approach to the second-last. Jumping to the front there, the daughter of Dylan Thomas was soon clear as the market leader folded tamely and she cruised home 21 lengths in front of Instit
The seven-year-old has won all four starts this term after victories at Listowel, Fairyhouse and Huntingdon.
“She was very good. I was concerned as I thought the ground was gone for her to be honest,” said winning trainer Gavin Cromwell.
“She was foot perfect, she has had issues with her jumping in the past but she's become very good now.
“Keith has done a lot of schooling with her and it's unfortunate he can't be on her but Sean does a lot of work with these horses too and it's nice to see him getting a day.
“At Cheltenham we took her out because of the ground but isn't it great to win here.
“She's a talented mare. The ground at Cheltenham this year was a bit of an extreme and it wouldn't have worked. I'm glad we didn't run her because we wouldn't be here if we did.
“It's been a brilliant season. All the horses are running great and that was my 70th jumps winner for the season. It's fantastic, 62 was my best, and that was the target.”
Flanagan told RTE: "Whilst I'm fortunate to be here today, we have to remember Keith (Donoghue) who's had a fantastic season and he's the main man in Gavin's. I call him about all these rides before I ride them, he knows them all inside out. It's my first time riding her and she's done it well.
"She's a very classy mare. I was on my own for the first half of the race and she was a little bit idle. I was cautious that Paul (Townend, on Allegorie De Vassy) was getting an easy lead and I've gone chasing him in a way, but when I did go chasing him I thought he'd bring me a lot further than he did.
"She jumped fantastically and I used her jumping to get me into a position that I'd join him easily enough. I've done that and the minute I've joined him, he's folded and I've been left in front for a long way but she's a very very gamey mare.
"Two and a half miles is probably her maxed out (in terms of trip) and I just didn't want to test that too much today.
"The ground is a little bit softer than it has been all week but it's not terribly deep and it's wet, loose ground."
Quotes from Gary Carson
