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Birdie Or Bust capitalised on a last-flight error from short-priced favourite Fun Fun Fun to land the Listed Billy Harney Memorial Irish EBF Mares Novice Hurdle at Thurles on Sunday.
Fun Fun Fun, ridden by Paul Townend for trainer Willie Mullins, led throughout and appeared to be in full control of the race when sprawling on landing after the final flight. Henry De Bromhead's Birdie Or Bust, who had been kept prominent by Rachael Blackmore, was sat in second coming into the last hurdle and took the lead past Fun Fun Fun, keeping on well to score by three-and-a-quarter lengths at the line. Stablemate Pastarole finished a further three-quarter of a length behind Fun Fun Fun in third.
"Obviously we got a bit of luck, but she ran really well and we were delighted with her," said De Bromhead.
"She definitely wasn't herself in the north the last day, but looked back to herself today with the way she jumped and travelled. She didn't seem herself in Down Royal.
"We will get her home and see what everyone would like to do. She has options and is lovely mare."
Willie Mullins, trainer of Fun Fun Fun, said: ""I didn't look at the re-run, but it looked to me that she stood way back off it (the final flight) and landed steeply at the back of it. Hopefully she will be all right in the morning."