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Easy for Dinoblue as she defends Opera Hat crown

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Sat 7 Feb 2026

Dinoblue was a straightforward winner when defending her title in the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase at Naas.

The Willie Mullins-trained chestnut was one of three entries in the race for owner JP McManus, with only Gavin Cromwell’s 80-1 outsider Je T’Ai Porte not carrying the green and gold silks.

Dinoblue, highly consistent in these mares’ events, was ridden as usual Mark Walsh and the 1-8 favourite provided him with a stress-free victory as she came home 11 lengths ahead of Bioluminesence.

Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, 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, Berry added: “That’ll be Willie’s plan, I’m sure.”

Paddy Power left her unchanged at 7-4 for the Mares’ Chase which she won last season.

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