Mike O'Connor steers Bennystiara home© Photo Healy Racing
Bennystiara powered home under Mike O'Connor to win the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle in Roscommon for Henry de Bromhead.
She made headway to close on front-running Dakota Beat at the third last and tackled her at the next.
The Kayf Tara mare picked up the lead upon touching down and asserted from a ridden Dakota Beat and Dinera Falso approaching the last.
The 6/4 favourite kept on strongly to draw five and a half lengths clear of Dinera Falso (9/1) who came through for second. Dakota Beat (15/8) dropped three and a quarter lengths further away in third.
O'Connor said: “She's tough little mare. The step up in trip and slightly more ease in the ground probably suited her.
“She jumped her way into the race and it was a matter of just giving her a squeeze and she quickened away.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
