15.00 EBF & TBA Mares' 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle Finale (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) result
1st Snow Leopardess (7/1 jt-fav)
2nd Copper Kay (7/1 jt-fav)
3rd River Arrow (25/1)
4th Tara View (9/1)
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Snow Leopardess landed a big prize for Charlie Longsdon and one of equestrian sport's most famous families when giving her all to take the EBF Mares' Final at Newbury under Aidan Coleman.
Coleman was niggling along to keep her in touch on the home turn in a race run at a smart clip on drying conditions, but his mount, owned by Marietta Fox-Pitt, kept responding and took advantage to move up when leader Lamanver Odyssey unexpectedly ducked left three out and tried to run out.
Forced to switch right having lost a little ground, Richard Johnson tried to gather Copper Kay up to throw down a challenge on the dash to the final flight, but Snow Leopardess simply kept on galloping to score by four lengths.
Having crossed the line first on Lady Of Lamanver last year only to lose the race to Briery Queen in the stewards' room, Coleman had no such worries this time.
Reaction
Charlie Longsdon commented: "Snow Leopardess has always been good. I got it totally wrong last time out (when third at Doncaster on February 9). She had a break with her owner over Christmas before I then took her back and gave her a bit of work. I then ran her two weeks later when she was only half fit. It was totally my fault.
"She has had plenty of work since her last run and has won as I hoped she would today. She doesn't show a lot at home as she is very laidback. I remember there were a few bets going around before she ran in her first bumper whether she would ever win a bumper (she won two). My head lad was very wrong and the lad that rode her out every day was very right.
"She keeps herself for the racecourse and has a lovely way of going. Onwards and upwards."
Aidan Coleman: "I got a lovely run round and she travelled brilliantly. The only bit of worry I had was three out when Noel's horse (Lamanver Odyssey) looked to run out. To be fair to Snow Leopardess, she has courage and went on and did it well.
"She had a look around in front but is a really nice mare. To be fair to Charlie, if you look at her form, she has been campaigned brilliantly. She won a good bumper at Gowran and ran well in the mares' race at Aintree last year.
"She loved the ground and is very versatile with everything she does. She has an amazing, laidback temperament and a great attitude."
