Crohan Lady makes experience count to land maiden hurdle One of the more experienced runners in the race, with six previous starts, the Liz Lalor trained Crohan Lady belatedly opened her account when staying on strongly to win the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle at Tramore. Prominent from the outset under Michael Kenneally, the James Condon owned and bred 9/2 chance took over in front before the fifth flight. Strongly pressed by Nirisque entering the straight, the eventual winner asserted on the run to the final flight, drawing clear to score by four lengths. Michael Kenneally said: "The lads probably weren't going fast enough for me in front. I wanted to sit second or third, but they just weren't going fast enough. She won a point-to-point and I knew she'd outstay anything. She was good, she jumped great, travelled well and done everything right. "When Darragh (O'Keeffe on Nirisque) came to my boot he was giving his one a slap down the shoulder and I was still full of running. She winged the second last and was good again at the last, she was honest to the line. "I'd like to think she can go on from this. The lads that have her are a good group and I'd love to see her progress and progress. She had a good run in the Gain Final a couple of years ago as well. She's not a bad mare and the ground drying out now will help her as well." Additional reporting by Donal Murphy.
