Wodhooh took the pinnacle of the mares’ programme for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. It was a first winner at this year’s meeting for the pair.
The contest was weakened markedly by the absence of both Lossiemouth and Brighterdayshead, who bolstered the Champion Hurdle field instead. Nevertheless, the seven mares lining up were all coming here in good form. None of them out of the first three last time out.
Wodhooh landed the spoils, as she has done on all bar one of her career starts. She was followed home by Jade De Grugy, who stalked her up the stretch but could not go by.
Wodhooh crowned queen of day three
After the confirmation that Lossiemouth would contest the Champion Hurdle, it all looked set for Wodhooh. Gordon Elliott had a torrid start to the festival. Similar to last year, he was looking for Wodhooh to lift his stable. She was an excellent winner of the Martin Pipe last season.
However, Jade De Grugy was second to Lossiemouth in this race last season. Willie Mullins’ charge was more than an able replacement for Closutton after her 18-length success at Thurles over fences.
Meanwhile, Paul Nolan’s progressive mare Feet Of A Dancer opted to skip the handicaps off a mark of 144. She was more than entitled to take her chance here on her two-length second to Wodhooh at Leopardstown in December. That was followed by a two-length success at Doncaster.
It was that pair who proved the biggest dangers after front-runners Jetara and Dream On Baby set a fierce pace. Both began to loom large as the field entered the stretch with all seven separated by just two lengths.
However, Jack Kennedy had saved enough aboard Wodhooh. The hill appeared long with Jade De Grugy closing, but the odds-on favourite delivered a first big win for punters on day three.