IRISH STALLION FARMS

EBF MARES NOVICE

HURDLE CHAMPIONSHIP

FINAL (GRADE 1)

JER’S Girl provided the National Hunt season with one of its fairytale outcomes as she credited Gavin Cromwell with a coveted first Grade 1 triumph in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final.

Throughout the season, Jer’s Girl had provided further compelling evidence of Cromwell’s prowess and she delivered in style for the trainer to give him the biggest success of his career at his local track. This represented a perfect start to Jer’s Girl in the J.P. McManus silks with the owner having purchased her in the days leading up to this €100,000 prize.

The race itself represented a step into the unknown for Jer’s Girl as it was her first try at two and a half miles but she lined up with compelling claims.

The daughter of Jeremy was only just denied by the Triumph Hurdle second Apple’s Jade at Christmas and, last time out, she finished fifth in a Grade 1 where three of those that finished in front of her reached the frame at Cheltenham.

RIVALS

That calibre of form was some way in advance of what Jer’s Girl’s 10 rivals had achieved and, as a four-year-old, she was getting the best part of a stone from her opponents.

The race itself went smoothly for the 3/1 favourite who settled in midfield for Barry Geraghty before then launching a strong challenge as the runners turned for home.

It didn’t take long for Jer’s Girl to shake off the front-running Monbeg Rose and in between the last two flights the Jeremy filly had her rivals toiling in vain. A fine jump at the last sealed the outcome and she maintained a relentless gallop to finish some 13 lengths ahead of the Harry Fry-trained Jessber’s Dream.

Asthuria completed the placings to make an encouraging debut for Willie Mullins.

“It’s brilliant, I’m just in shock really. She’s done it so well,” reflected a delighted Cromwell. “I wasn’t too worried about the trip especially when the ground wasn’t bottomless. Her form this season has worked out really well, I just didn’t know how she would fare taking on the older mares for the first time. I’d imagine that we’ll definitely have to consider Punchestown now.

“Her owner Gus Bourke sold her during the week. There had been interest in her before but he’s not in great health and he’s only got to see her run once this season. I’m sure he will still get a great kick out of this and he has the mare at home.

“Gus was worried about the quicker ground at Cheltenham and I’m sure she would have run well but it was the right decision to come here,” added the trainer.