Missiee, centre, sees off the favourite Roped In, right, in Tramore© Photo Healy Racing
Missiee fended off Roped In at the end of an extended two miles five furlongs in the Tramore Medical Clinic Handicap Hurdle to give jockey Michael Molloy a first success.
Both horses were produced on the run to the second last and it was Missiee who lead her rival over the final flight.
The 18/1 shot (from 33s in the morning) kept rocking and rolling for Molloy on the short run-in and saw off the well backed 11/4 favourite Roped In by a head. Each-way backers drew a dividend from Well Polly (33/1) and Indie Belle (9/2) in third and fourth respectively.
Molloy, 25-year-old from Dublin, said: “I was showjumping as a young kid and was based with Tony Martin for many years. Everything I know has to be down to Tony.
“There were too many good lads there so I left to try and get more opportunities. I’m riding out for Shark Hanlon, Eoin McCarthy and Aidan Howard on the Curragh.
“Eoin (McCarthy) has been very good to me and I owe him a lot.
“This mare has improved with racing and we thought she had come on well from the run the last day in Clonmel. She loved the ground and stayed well.
“The last few years have been tough to keep going and I know I needed to improve but that makes it all worthwhile.”
McCarthy added: “Michael is a really sound and reliable fella. He started coming down to us last August and is great value for the 7lb.
“I’m delighted for the owner, John Costello, was has had her since she was a foal. He got some kick out of that.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
