Diamond sparkles with Grade One verdict at Fairyhouse
Ashroe Diamond gained compensation for missing out on an appearance at the Cheltenham Festival with a dominant victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.
Placed behind the top-class pair of Marine Nationale and Facile Vega in successive Grade Ones earlier in the season, the six-year-old went on to claim a Grade Three prize at Fairyhouse in January, ensuring she headed to the Cotswolds as a major contender for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – only to be ruled out on the morning of declarations.
Taking on several of those who did line up at Cheltenham, Ashroe Diamond was the 2-1 favourite to provide Willie Mullins with a sixth victory in the last 10 runnings of this Grade One contest and ultimately got the job done emphatically under an ice-cool ride from Paul Townend.
Blimey!
Ashroe Diamond and @PTownend sensational in the Grade One @IrishEBF_ Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle @Fairyhouse 👀@WillieMullinsNH's 6yo adds her name to the list of recent winners that include Annie Power, Laurina, Brandy Love and, of course, Honeysuckle … pic.twitter.com/zsBLLRVvbv
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 9, 2023
In a race run at a strong gallop from flag-fall, the market leader was buried in midfield for much of the two-and-a-half-mile journey.
As the pacesetting Harmonya Maker faltered, 66-1 shot Whatcouldhavebeen made an eyecatching move to grab the lead and quickly took several lengths out of the field in a bid to cause a shock.
Townend, though, did not panic and Ashroe Diamond made up the ground comfortably between the final two flights, reeling in the leader and pulling five lengths clear on the run-in.
Mullins’ assistant, David Casey, said: “She was very good, Paul said she did everything right.
“She got a bit keen, but she travelled like a dream and jumped brilliant. She did it very easy.
“Who knows what would have happened at Cheltenham, but it’s great to win today – it’s very important for the mares.
“Hopefully she’ll go forward next year. She got a nasty cut behind there and I’d say she’ll need a couple of stitches.”
