Dawn Shadow and Rachael Blackmore pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Dawn Shadow got off the mark on her second start over flights, as she took the opener at Clonmel, the Cahir Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The Dot Love trained five-year-old won a bumper at Downpatrick in March, and ran her best race since to finish fourth in a Listed bumper at Gowran in September.
She was fifth to The Rory Story on her debut over flights at Galway last month, and she was sent off a 6/1 chance today (as big as 14s this morning and from 8s on-course) with Rachael Blackmore in the saddle.
Having raced mainly in second, the daughter of King's Theatre improved to lead early in the straight, and soon went a few lengths clear.
She extended her advantage after the second last, and kept on well on the run-in to score by three and a quarter lengths in the colours of owner Sean Reilly.
The easy to back Osco Mosco (6/1) kept on to take second under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott, while the well-supported Shimmer's Rock (12s last night and from 5s to 4s on-course) was three lengths back in third under Paul Townend for Pat Fahy. Martello Park was sent off the 11/4 favourite and she was another five lengths back in fourth.
Ciaran Murphy, assistant trainer to Love, said afterwards: "Her bumper form entitled her to do that and she had a lovely run back at Gowran and then against the geldings at Galway she wasn't fully wound and this was the plan to come here.
"She could go on for a winners and hopefully she'll progress as the season goes on. We think she's useful but has just taken a bit of time. The plan is to get black-type over hurdles and is a long term project in terms of being a chaser in the making"
STEWARDS REPORT
D.N. Russell, rider of Osco Mosco trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
