ANNFIELD LADY, formerly trained by Willie Mullins when clocking up six wins over hurdles and fences in 1994 and now with Bagenalstown trainer Tom Foley, stayed on well under Tommy Treacy to collar front running Casey Jane, ironically trained by Mull ins in the Lattin Handicap Hurdle at Tipperary yesterday.
We didn't think she would stay 21/2 miles but she settled like a lamb and did it very nicely. She is entered for a two mile handicap hurdle at Listowel on Saturday week and we will see how the handicapper reacts before making a decision," Foley said.
Christy Roche had an armchair ride on the Ger Hourigan trained Storm Damage who swept to the front less than half a mile from home in the Aherlow Maiden and under hands and heels stayed on relentlessly to easily account for Royal Albert who came from the chasing pack to finish 41/2 lengths adrift of the 11 to 4 favourite.
Hourigan, who missed the victory as he was attending the Craven meeting in Newmarket has now recorded three successes with the Waajib gelding who was following up on his two victories over hurdles in February.
Three Musketeers recorded his fifth success under rules for Curragh trainer Dermot Kelly after forging to the front with a perfectly timed challenge under Liam O Shea to beat Lough Mogue in the opening five furling Kilfush Handicap.
Dungarvan trainer, Ronnie Curran nominated the Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown next Wednesday for Steel Dawn after the nine year old landed the Monard Handicap Chase in good style for Shay Barry.
