Noras Fancy routed her 16 rivals in the mares maiden hurdle at Galway for father and son combination of Jimmy and Paddy Mangan.
The experienced five-year-old daughter of Brian Boru was always prominent and was sent to win her race before the home turn. She relished the heavy going and ploughed up the hill to win the two mile contest by 22 lengths at 11/2. Great Oak was best of the rest at 5/1, backed in from 8/1, for John Nicholson and Declan Bates. She was three-parts-of-a-length in front of 6/1 shot Saddleoncemore for Shane Joyce and Barry Geraghty.
“She loves the soft ground. She could go to Clonmel on Thursday as there’s a handicap hurdle there for her. She’ll make a right chaser,” successful trainer Jimmy Mangan said.
Saoirse’s Sister the 9/2 favourite for Charles Byrnes finished a disappointing last of the 16 finishers.
Michael Graham
