Notkeepinyagoing asserted her dominance over her competitors at Leopardstown, relentlessly pounding the rain-soaked terrain in race two.
The 7/2 contender took the lead early on in this 2m4f mares' maiden hurdle, leaving all but Magic Dawn trailing behind after the second-to-last obstacle.
Despite Magic Dawn's attempt to close the gap towards the final hurdle, jockey Ben Harvey urged Notkeepinyagoing to push harder, resulting in a flawless leap that secured her victory.
Magic Dawn faltered at the last hurdle, allowing Notkeepinyagoing to surge ahead by an impressive 15 lengths, leaving the 9/4 favourite in her wake. Slotty Dotty (11/1) trailed a few lengths behind in third place.
Trainer John McConnell expressed his satisfaction with Notkeepinyagoing's performance, stating,
“She has proven her consistency and deserves this win. While the ground was challenging today, it was excessively soft in Tramore during her last outing. Her previous form had been commendable.”
Looking ahead, McConnell added,
“We hope the handicapper doesn't judge her too harshly, considering the level of competition in this particular maiden hurdle. With her current rating, she should be a strong contender in a handicap event or perhaps a winners' race soon. Notkeepinyagoing has already triumphed in a bumper at Galway and is now in a maiden hurdle here, proving her worth.”
He concluded optimistically,
“She has repaid the faith of the Planetary Orbit Syndicate with these wins. We plan to continue her campaign, now that she has tasted victory. Our sights are set on upcoming challenges where she can further showcase her capabilities.”