Nicaragua and Rachael Blackmore pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Nicaragua followed-up on some good recent efforts to take the opener at Clonmel, the Ancient East (Mares) Maiden Hurdle.
Trained in Co Waterford by Con O'Keeffe, the daughter of Zamindar was second to stable mate Kilbarry Cushty at Tramore last month, before finishing fourth of twenty-one to Special Diamond on her most recent start at Cork.
Sent off the 9/2 second favourite today she made all under Rachael Blackmore. She was pressed by Is She Diesel on the entrance to the straight, but was pushed a few lengths clear after two out, keeping on well on the run-in to score by two and a quarter lengths.
The aforementioned Is She Diesel had to settle for second under Sean Flanagan for Seamus Fahey at 8/1, while Alabama Rose (12/1) was another five and a half lengths back in third for Mark Bolger and Jessica Harrington.
French import Lareena was sent off the 4/6 favourite, but she proved bitterly disappointing, fading tamely after three out, eventually finishing thirteenth under Ruby Walsh.
O’Keeffe said afterwards: "The ground was good for her and she got a fantastic ride. She's a very game filly. There might be a winners' race or a handicap for her next.
"The plan was to make all, and she's a brilliant jumper."
The winner is owned by O'Keeffe's wife Claire, and well-known orthopaedic surgeon Tadgh O'Sullivan.
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards fined R. K. Watson, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Sylvi in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Lareena (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal(samples taken for analysis).
D.E. Mullins, rider of Maudlin Magdalen trained by Donal Kinsella, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was green in the early stages and jumped deliberately throughout.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
