Brave Betsy

Brave Betsy was probably unlucky not to win the two-and-a-quarter-mile mares’ beginners’ chase that opened proceedings at Thurles on Friday. Always travelling well for Barry Geraghty, she jumped well throughout, moved up in behind the leader Ambrosia’s Promise over the fourth last, took it up on the inside around the home turn, still travelling well, best of all of those in the front rank, rose at the second last in front, ears pricked, but just clipped the top of the fence and crumpled on landing, leaving it to Cru and Willies Girl to fight out the finish.

A useful hurdler last season, this was just Brave Betsy’s fourth run over fences, and she seems to have progressed with each run. It is easy to argue that she was the most likely winner of this contest at the point of her departure, and she should be able to gain compensation in a beginners’ contest before the ground gets too fast for her. She is effective from two to two and a half miles, but she is at her best on soft ground. She should continue to progress now over fences.

26th February 2010