Connections of Ashroe Diamond are getting excited ahead of a likely tilt at the Mares’ Hurdle at the Festival, following a comfortable victory in the Grade 2 Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle at Doncaster.
Winner of the Grade 1 Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in April, the Willie Mullins-trained mare was forced to switch to open company on her seasonal reappearance due to ineligibility in Irish mares' races. Whilst the seven-year-old ran commendably to finish third in the Grade 1 Hatton's Grace Hurdle behind Teahupoo, she was well-beaten by the winner and connections felt a return to two miles would be advisable.
Although stablemate Lossiemouth was diverted to Cheltenham on Saturday, Ashroe Diamond still faced tough opposition in fellow Mullins' mare Gala Marceau and Nicky Henderson's Under Control, but she always appeared in control to land a two and a half length victory under Patrick Mullins.
"It was a brilliant day and I suppose coming back in trip for her after the Hatton's Grace was the key to her jumping well and Patrick was able to go forward a lot more," said James Fenton, racing manager for owners Blue Blood Racing Club.
"Myself and Patrick discussed it about an hour before the race and he rode her textbook to the way we decided on – not a thing went wrong, which is great. You would have to be impressed with her and the way she did it so professionally.
"We have to go to the Mares' now. She was unlucky not to get to Cheltenham last year and hopefully now, with the travelling over to Doncaster and back and stuff, she is a more settled mare in that regard and all roads now lead to Cheltenham.
"We said at the start of the season, when we decided not to go chasing with her, that she deserved another crack over hurdles and we would aim for the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham and work our way back.
"The run in the Hatton's Grace brought her on to Doncaster and now we go on to Cheltenham and hopefully the plan is working – and that is all down to the great team at Closutton."
Sponsors Paddy Power have Ashroe Diamond as 7/2 second favourite for the Mares' Hurdle at the Festival in March.
