Dinoblue is once again queen in the Opera Hat

Dinoblue landed the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase for the second successive year when justifying odds of 1/8 at Naas this afternoon.

Mark Walsh elected to make all in this four-runner Listed race and those who supported the red-hot favourite had no cause for concern.

The Willie Mullins-trained mare, who went on to land the Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase at Cheltenham last year, was about three lengths clear of Bioluminescence at the last and stretched clear to extend that superiority to 11 lengths at the line.

Bioluminescence just held off Uhavemeinstitches by a head for the runner-up spot to complete a 1-2-3 for owner JP McManus.

McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said, “She’s a great bit of stuff, she turns up every day. You could set your clock by her.

“She jumped great and she handles that ground very well. You couldn’t ask for better.

“It was a nice prep, a nice bit of work and you couldn’t be happier. Mark was delighted with her.”

When asked about her heading back to Cheltenham he added, “That’ll be Willie’s plan, I’m sure.”

Paddy Power left her unchanged at 7/4 favourite NRNB for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase.

Quotes by Gary Carson