Well-bred Alliance makes winning debut Celtic Alliance quickened up nicely to make a winning debut in the four-year-old maiden hurdle at Clonmel, giving trainer Gordon Elliott a double on the card. Her stablemate One To Witness went off 4/7 favourite in the race but cried enough after the second last having disputed for most. Celtic Alliance asserted before the final flight, under Jake Coen, and had plenty up her sleeve in the closing stages as Mastertown Miss ran on to take second, two-and-three-quarter lengths back. The 7/1 winner is a half-sister to the ill-fated Absolute Notions, a Grade 1 runner-up for the yard back in 2023. "She has been struggling on the heavy sand at home so we were worried about the ground,” said Elliott. “To be honest, I'd say it was a very low grade race although she was tough. She surprised me so we won't complain. "It is a boost for her owner Judith Matthews who came out of hospital yesterday, so it is nice to give her a winner. She has horses with us for the last few years so it is great." (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
