Chroi opens hurdling account in style Grainne A Chroi was given a confident ride by John Shinnick to run out an easy winner of the Kilsheelan Mares Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel. Marie Harding’s charge settled behind the leaders in the two-mile contest before jumping to the front two from home. The 11/2 shot soon asserted and only had to be shaken up briefly going to the last to settle matters, easing home on the run-in for a seven-and-a-half length win over Twentyfourcarrot. Karma D’airy went to post a 1/2 shot on her debut for Willie Mullins but folded tamely before the second last and could only finish a well-beaten third, 19 lengths further back. The winner had been third in a Tramore maiden hurdle in November before a disappointing show in a Thurles bumper last month. Shinnick said:- “I knew I’d loads going down the hill and just didn’t want to get there too soon. She had plenty in the tank and I was delighted with her. “The last day was a blip. The yard was going through a bit of a quiet spell, but Marie’s horses have bounced back and she had a point-to-point winner over the weekend.” (Quotes by Alan Magee)
