Carrigmoornaspruce makes winning debut over hurdles Similar to the previous afternoon, trainer Declan Queally sent out the first winner on the card, as odds-on favourite Carrigmoornaspruce made a winning start to life over jumps in the opening Buckley Agri New Holland Irish EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle at Listowel. Runner-up on her racecourse debut at the corresponding meeting last year, the daughter of Diamond Boy went on to win her next two starts, before twice being placed at black type level. The five-year-old later added valuable winning black type when landing a Grade 3 bumper at Punchestown on her final start of the campaign. Sent off a well backed 8/13f to make a winning debut over flights, Carrigmoornaspruce chased Run For Mahler in the early stages, before taking over in front after the first flight. Making the rest of the running, the eventual winner stayed on strongly from two out under jockey Michael Kenneally to score by five-and-a-half lengths. It was a significant win for Kenneally who was having his first ride as a professional, while the mare also picked up a E5,000 ITBA bonus Declan Queally Junior said: "It is grand to get that out of the way and Michael's 7lb claim is a help. She is only in since July 14 and, again, with these good horses you don't have to work them too much, they're just able to do it. "We had done loads of schooling with her once a week for the whole summer. We then put the hurdles out on the grass with Michael schooling her twice a week for the last two weeks, and she had been jumping great. "She will go to Down Royal for a grade 3 novice (November) next and we'll see after that. Her owners Mickey (Veale) and Tom (McCarthy) are farmers and love coming here. She finished second here last year so they're delighted. "Michael (29) has turned pro, is basing himself with us and is with us three days a week. I'm sure he'll get those rides for bigger trainers in those big handicaps now as he is a steal for 7lb, so best of luck to him as he deserves it and is a good rider." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
