Former Irish pointer stars at Taunton There were jubilant scenes in the Taunton winner's enclosure after Coillte Lass completed her hat-trick in the totepool Chip & Pin Betting Mares' Novices' Hurdle. The Beneficial mare was snapped up by first-season syndicate Ditcheat Thoroughbreds after winning an Irish point-to-point in the spring and has proved a shrewd purchase. A successful hurdling debut at Hereford was followed by an emphatic 86-length triumph over just one rival at Ludlow, but she faced a far tougher test in this two-mile Listed contest. Sam Twiston-Davies rode a positive race aboard the Paul Nicholls-trained 11-4 chance as she raced over two miles for the first time, committing for home before the final turn. High-class mare Dusky Legend, runner-up in the Trull House Stud Novices' Hurdle at last season's Cheltenham Festival, did her best to close the gap in the straight, but Coillte Lass kept up the gallop to prevail by four and a half lengths, much to the delight of her band of owners. "Look how many owners are here, it's amazing," Nicholls told At The Races. "Part of having a syndicate is having a lot of fun like they've had today and that means a lot to them. "She's a good mare and has just kept improving. I was a little bit worried about the trip, but it was a good performance. "I'm thrilled for all the owners." A fine round of jumping enabled the Tom George-trained Behind The Wire to get off the mark at the sixth attempt in the Racing Welfare Supporting Stable Staff Chase in the hands of Adrian Heskin. "He's done it nicely, jumped well and we're really pleased," said George. "He has just taken a while to come to himself. He won a point-to-point in Ireland as a four-year-old and has just lived on his nerves a little bit and been a bit babyish. "He still has some growing up to do and was a sweating a little bit in the parade ring again today, but hopefully he'll start to progress now. He'll be even better with another summer on his back, I'd have thought."
