Sophia Rose wins 'match' between market principals In common with the earlier maiden on the card at Sligo, the Hankook Pearse Road Tyres Maiden Hurdle was far from competitive with the two market principals soon a distance clear of their five rivals who never counted at any stage. Sophia Rose (2/1) tracked odds-on favourite Cocovic throughout, moved up to dispute at the last and got the better of a good tussle on the run-in to score by a neck with a huge gap of 85 lengths back to the third. Runner-up at Downpatrick last month, the Sunny Day Syndicate’s winner was in receipt of a stone from the runner-up taking into account Eoin Staples’ 7lb claim. Winning trainer Gavin Cromwell was represented by Troy Cullen who said: “She’s a nice mare, fairly straightforward, and has a nice pedigree. It’s nice to get her head in front. “The dam was quite useful and is a sister to Real Steel. “I’d imagine it will be handicaps for her now.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
