Davy Russell rode Golan Road© Photo Healy Racing
Golan Road was unable to make any impact when she travelled to Doncaster for the BetBright Cheltenham Festival Fund Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
County Waterford trainer Michael Griffin was hoping she might pick up some black type after her two-length victory in an 18-runner maiden hurdle at Leopardstown last time.
But she was struggling from a long way out in the hands of Davy Russell and finished well behind in fourth place of the six runners.
Degenerous, from the County Down yard of Sarah Dawson, built up a big lead early on in the Listed contest but the writing was on the wall as soon as she was caught, and she finished last.
Meanwhile it was mission accomplished for connections of Balmusette, who were also seeking black type.
The six-year-old (4-1), trained by Keith Reveley and ridden by his son James, came through to lead two out in this extended three-mile event and sprinted 10 lengths clear of A Doll In Milan.
The winning trainer said: "She's a lovely Halling mare and loves that better ground. She didn't get home over two and a half on heavy ground at Haydock when we rode her handy, so we dropped her in.
"I thought we could nick a bit of black-type placed, but to get a Listed win we're over the moon. The owners (John and Madge Williams) have had horses like Marello and High Jinx, so it's great for them. It just makes a big difference in the breeding game and it's great Doncaster supports these races.
"We'll keep going with her and may run her on the Flat. We'll see, but this was the project."
