Augusta Kate, near side, gets to grips with Let's Dance © Photo Healy Racing
Augusta Kate wore down Let's Dance to take the spoils in the Grade One mares' novices' hurdle at Fairyhouse.
The 8/1 chance came with her challenge before the last as leader and 4/6 favourite Let's Dance looked to have gone for home.
Despite making a mistake at the last, Augusta Kate really knuckled down to her task and got on terms with Let's Dance before staying on best in the closing stages to win by half a length.
Her stablemate Let's Dance had to settle for second after travelling well to lead after the second last. Barra (14/1) was six and a half lengths behind the battle for first place.
Jockey David Mullins said: "She's very tough and unassuming. She was on and off it and wasn't jumping the best out of the whole group I thought. As soon as I gave her a squeeze after the third last she jostled for a bit of position and came alive under me.
"I kind of knew I had her (Let's Dance) beat but I wasn't sure after the jump. She gave herself a bit of a fright in Cheltenham. She was cleverer than me today anyway. She really stays. God knows what is left in her still."
Willie Mullins said: “She wasn’t happy with the gear we had on her at Cheltenham. We took off the chiffney and ear plugs and it seems to have suited her a lot better. She flattened the last and doesn’t know how to jump at that speed and still picked up. She’s improved a lot and hopefully there is more to come.
“We’ll see how they come out of that before deciding about Punchestown. She probably learned from Cheltenham and maybe that is a better trip for her.
“Let’s Dance came to win her race and had no real excuses. She didn’t seem as happy throughout the race as I would have hoped but still came through with what looked a winning run.”
Paddy Power gave Augusta Kate a first show of 5/1 for the OLBG Mares' Hurdle. BoyleSports also go 5/1 while Betfair are 6/1.
Meanwhile Let's Dance is 9/2 with Betfair and 5/1 at BoyleSports.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
