Maca Hits Right Note

Maca Rince built on a recent maiden hurdle success to land the spoils in the McGarrell Reilly Homes Juvenile 3-Y-O Hurdle.

Jarlath Fahey's filly looked a major danger to long-time leader Paco Jack as the principals approached the final flight but soon found herself short of room on the rail in the Grade Three contest.

However, after being shuffled back for a stride or two, Maca Rince (7-2) picked up well once more to swamp the 2-1 favourite and score by one and a half lengths.

Fahey said: 'She did it well. I thought she was in trouble at the last but when she got some daylight she quickened up well.

'She's entered for a juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. I'll have to have a think about that as she has a bit of developing to do.'

The success was a first Graded winner for County Kildare-based Fahey, who has 12 horses in training.

Winning rider Ian McCarthy, 19, hails from County Galway and is based with Dessie Hughes. He is the nephew of owner Florence McCarthy.

Catch Me made a most encouraging reappearance in the Bee Bee Developments Hurdle.

Edward O'Grady's 4-5 favourite finished third in the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle last season, but coped perfectly well with the drop back to two and a quarter miles on his return.

David Casey sent his mount on as the field swung for home and the pair went on to record a convincing 13-length success over Big Zeb.

O'Grady said: 'I was hoping it would go like that, although I didn't think he was really 100% ready.

'We'll go to Navan next and we could always step up (in class), as he was unlucky in three Grade One races last year. But that was a good introduction.

'In hindsight I might have run him in the wrong race at Cheltenham, I don't know if he got up the hill. I was so convinced Clopf was going to Plan A (Supreme Novices'). But hindsight is a wonderful thing.'

(C) PA Sport