TATTERSALLS IRELAND

CHAMPION NOVICE

HURDLE (GRADE 1)

A SEASON that has been nothing short of a fairytale for Jer’s Girl and Gavin Cromwell drew to a perfect crescendo in the Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle.

As she chased a second Grade 1 victory of the campaign Jer’s Girl was stepping into the unknown. Her top level success at Fairyhouse had established that two and a half miles was no problem even though she was against older geldings for the first time.

Jer’s Girl turned this contest into an utterly one sided affair as the filly, who has been such a fine advertisement for her trainer’s talents, outclassed her opposition to post another wide margin triumph.

Jer’s Girl was always going to be formidable rival getting both a mares’ allowance and a weight for age concession which saw her returned the 11/8 favourite to make it three Grade 1 wins at the meeting for both Geraghty and owner J.P. McManus who purchased her in the days before her Fairyhouse victory.

Jer’s Girl did make a mistake at the fifth flight but she was soon back on an even keel and she was travelling powerfully in second from the fourth last.

Thomas Hobson, who made the running, did his utmost to make this a real test for Cromwell’s charge but he could find no more from early in the straight as Jer’s Girl surged clear. An awkward jump at the last made absolutely no difference to the daughter of Jeremy as she powered away to finish 10 lengths clear of O O Seven. The 5/1 joint second favourite A Toi Phil ran very wide on the bend after the fourth hurdle and, while he recovered to some extent, he was eventually pulled up.

“That was amazing, brilliant,” exclaimed a thrilled Cromwell.

“She seemed better again on the better ground today. I felt she had improved since Fairyhouse and she looked to have gotten stronger. She did have the weight allowance today but we were stepping into the unknown taking on big, strong geldings.”

“She’s all heart and I think in time that she will be able to stay three miles but I’ll just talk to Frank and J.P. ,” added the trainer.

Geraghty added: “She recovered very well from the mistake that she made early on and then she came alive for me leaving the back. Gavin has done a brilliant job with her all season.’’