Affinity Rock tough off the front in Killarney Affinity Rock, the 15/8 favourite, made all and found for Danny Gilligan in the Kerry Tool Hire Mares Maiden Hurdle over an extended 2m6f at Killarney. She came off the bridle after three out, but just kept rolling off the front. She popped the last well and was driven out on the run-in to account for Former Flame (15/2) by a length and a-half. Regards To Rose gave her each-way backers a place dividend the same distance away in third at 25/1. Affinity Rock stepped up on a runner-up berth in a Punchestown mares' maiden hurdle over a similar trip in February. Cian Collins said: "She is 17.1hh, is a brilliant jumper and is very natural to jump. She will be a chaser, but we won't overrace her and will mind her and pick her races. Jack Lord rides her out every day and has done a great job settling her. "My uncle (Noel Collins) bred her and won a point-to-point with her, and thankfully got a syndicate to buy her. She will be a nice mare for them. "We might try for black-type somewhere during the summer and she will jump fences sooner rather than later." Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
