Shattered Love is left clear as Asthuria falls© Photo Healy Racing
The battle between Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins to be Champion Trainer reached another notable point at Fairyhouse today as the Elliott’s trained Shattered Love scooped the Grade 3 Coolmore Soldier Of Fortune (Mares) Novice Hurdle, at the expense of Mullins’ final flight casualty Asthuria
Both Shattered Love, under Jack Kennedy, and Asthuria, under Paul Townend, were locked together disputing the lead from the second last flight with the outcome in the balance. At the final flight, Asthuria was strongly pressed by the eventual winner and while the pair jumped the obstacle upsides, Asthuria crashed out on landing.
Both mares had previously met at Thurles in December when Asthuria again fell, at the third last flight, and today’s result was itself almost a microcosm of the season thus far for Mullins and Elliott. Mullins, who split with Shattered Love's owner Michael O'Leary (Gigginstown House Stud) in September, has experienced arguably worse fortune in recent times and currently trails Elliott by some E240,000.
Following the race, Elliott admitted “we were fortunate that Willie's horse fell at the last and we had a bit of luck on our side, but we know she stays. A step up in trip would be no bother to her.
"I'll have to talk to Eddie and Michael (O’Leary) to decide where she goes next. The mares novice race at Cheltenham could be a a bit short for her."
Paddy Power left Shattered Love unchanged at 14/1 for the mares’ novice hurdle at Cheltenham.
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
