Catimini is driven out by Kevin Sexton on the run-in as Diyala pecks badly on landing after the last© Photo Healy Racing
After recording his first double at Wexford last month, Kevin Sexton registered another two-timer at Thurles this afternoon, as he took the Templemore Mares Maiden Hurdle aboard Catimini
Sexton had won the previous contest aboard Musawama and he quickly followed up on the Sean Byrne trained five-year-old daughter of Golan.
The successful chestnut filly won on her debut at Wexford last December, and she ran very well on her first start over hurdles at Galway last month, finishing just a length and a quarter second to Royal Moll.
Sent off an 11/4 chance this afternoon, she was settled in second, as the 11/8 favourite, Diyala attempted to make all under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott.
The winner improved to dispute the lead on the run to the second last, and a messy jump there by Diyala resulted in the duo colliding, while Wate And Sea who was still in with a chance in third, crashed out at the flight.
Catimini hit the front on the run to the last, and she went clear on the run-in to come home a comfortable five and a half-length victor, from Diyala back in second, who lost any chance she had by pecking badly on landing at the final flight.
The front pair were twenty-four lengths clear of Keiths Delight who finished third under Paul Townend for Pat Fahy at 10/3.
Sean Byrne said afterwards: "She jumped better today but she wants further. She is not over big and I couldn’t tell you where she’ll go next."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
