Nashville Notions justifies market support Two well-backed five-year-old's finished first and second in the Stephen Mullins & Sons Mares Maiden Hurdle, with the Paul Kiely-trained Nashville Notions coming out on top. Supported from 11/2 into 7/2 favouritism, the 96-rated victor raced in mid-division under Liam Quinlan and was pushed along in sixth from what is the usual three out. Improving to challenge on the inner on the approach to the straight, the market leader led before the bypassed final flight and she was ridden out inside the final 150 yards, coming home two-and-a-half lengths to the good. From 22s early and from 14s to 9/2 before the off, Our Girl Ellie came from off the pace and tried hard to reel the winner in, but she ultimately had to settle for second under Trevor Ryan. The front pair drew six-lengths clear of Annarubyrose in third, with this one returned at 6/1. "On her Cork run (fifth of 16) she was entitled to be there," Kiely remarked. "She's been very unlucky, she fell in a couple of point-to-points at the first. She had very good form in her point-to-points, everything around her won bumpers or maiden hurdles. "She was due a turn to be honest. It's nice to see her doing it, she has a good pedigree and it would be no surprise if she turned out to be a little bit nicer. "We'll see what the handicapper does. We might give her a small break as she was point-to-pointing and has been on the go a little while. "We just wanted to get something under her belt before giving her a break. "She probably wouldn't go in the depths of winter on real heavy ground. I'd say she'll handle soft ground but not the real heavy stuff, she's probably not big enough for that. "She was third and fourth in four-year-old maidens so she'll jump a fence in time." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Raceday Stewards enquired into an possible interference rounding the omitted last hurdle involving Another Girl, ridden by P.J. O'Hanlon, placed fourth, Emily's Light, ridden by A. McCurtin, placed fifth, Mollys Dolly, ridden by R.P. Treacy, unplaced and Our Girl Ellie, ridden by T. Ryan, placed second, where it appeared interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. R.P. Treacy stated that things became tight when avoiding the hurdle. T. Ryan stated that things became tight but that it had not affected his finishing position. P.J. O'Hanlon stated that horses came close together. A. McCurtin stated that he felt he had not suffered any interference. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards made no alterations to the judges placings and took no further action. * The Raceday Stewards interviewed T. Ryan, rider of Our Girl Ellie, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted he was in breach of the Whip Regulation and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that T. Ryan was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his clean record in this regard they suspended him for two racedays. * Anna McGuinness, rider of Ar Aghaidh, trained by Hugh Paul Finegan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount did not handle the ground and pulled up. * P. Hanlon, rider of Georginas Jet, trained by Paul John Gilligan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran out at the first hurdle. * The Raceday Stewards advised Paul John Gilligan, trainer of Georginas Jet, that a repeat performance from his charge, who ran out at the first hurdle, may render the animal liable to a suspension in the future. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
