Dawn Shadow and Rachael Blackmore© Photo Healy Racing
The Listed Close Brothers Mares Novice Hurdle saw Rachael Blackmore clinch a second Punchestown 2018 winner aboard Dot Love's Dawn Shadow
Last season's champion conditional has cemented her position with as many winners this term, and after her victory on True Self on Tuesday, here she got the 10/1 victor home by a length from Creation
Ciaran Murphy (assistant trainer) said: "We are over the moon with that. Going to Cheltenham we were hoping she would run a big one and she got unlucky (fell) and she was hampered a bit at Fairyhouse.
"Today looked like it was a bit down in class and she looked the top of the pile. It was our day today and she deserved to win a big one.
"A strong two miles suits her really well and we were delighted to see Redhotfillypeppers in it as it took her along. I said to Rachael to take a lead for as long as you can if they go quick. She's riding really well and the mare performed for her.
"She is a super jumper and to be honest Cheltenham was a blip regarding her jumping. It's lovely to get heavy black type over hurdles as her future is over fences."
Dot Love is currently away on holiday in New Zealand.
The Stewards fined Henry de Bromhead, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Creation (FR), in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91.
The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
P. Townend, rider of Cut The Mustard (FR) trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the first hurdle.
D.J. Mullins, rider of Glens Harmony trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran too freely during this race.
D.N. Russell, rider of Moonlight Escape trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was badly hampered at the first hurdle.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Glens Harmony, trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(AM & EM)
