MALLOW handler Marie Harding had a day to remember at Punchestown on Wednesday, when Grainne A Chroi gave her the biggest win of her career in the Grade 3 Quevega Mares Hurdle.

The Mount Nelson mare went to post the outsider of the six-runner field in the two-and-a-half-mile contest, but ran out a convincing winner.

John Shinnick’s mount moved smoothly up to challenge over the second last and hit the front turning for home.

The 16/1 shot found plenty when pressed by World Of Fortunes in the closing stages to record a three-parts-of-a-length victory.

“That was great, we’re delighted,” said Harding, who trains the seven-year-old for Eileen O’Brien.

“She’s actually a good mare, but she’s gotten stronger as she’s got older.

“We were a little bit worried as she got a bad fall before Christmas, schooling. She was telling us she was right, but we were still nervous.

“She’s tough and she actually did it really well. She came around the home-bend really travelling and he went for it.

“We were just worried about today and we’ll see where we go now. We’ll see how she is tomorrow. She’ll tell us where we’re going next.

“That was amazing, I can’t believe it. She’s our pet at home. She’s not over-big, but she’s got a serious heart.”

Old rival

The form of the mares’ maiden at Kildorrery in February 2024 looks fairly good now as Grainne A Chroi beat How’s Hannah that day. Her old rival, now trained by Willie Mullins, looks set to tackle graded company herself now, after an impressive victory in the Matchbook Mares Maiden Hurdle on the card.

Patrick Mullins gave the 1/2 shot a confident ride as she shot clear turning for home and he eased up heavily late on to beat Torpille Dagrostis by a couple of lengths.

The winning rider, wearing the Temple Bloodstock silks, said afterwards: “I was keen to use one of my 21 rides on her, because I just think she’s very good. We might look at the Grade 3 in Limerick during Cheltenham.

“Long term, I’d be hoping she might be one for the Mares Chase in Cheltenham next year. She’s a fine big mare and I love her.”

CONNECTIONS are eyeing some nice targets with Court Compliance, after he made the breakthrough over timber in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle.

Philip Byrnes was soon in front on the 11/10 favourite and Bill Durkan’s gelding was sent clear going to the last to record a four-and-a-half length success over Newbrook Diamond.

Assistant trainer Gary Bannon said: “It’s about time! He’s been bumping into nice types and it has been a bit frustrating. We decided to make a bit more use of him today.

“We might have a crack at the novice handicap in Fairyhouse with him and then put him away for the rest of the year. He was bought as a potential chaser, you only have to look at him.

“Bill always wanted to have a runner in the Irish National. Screaming Colours was fourth for us one year and he got great craic out of it.

“He wanted to buy a horse that could do something along those lines and hopefully he will.”

Convincing

There was also a convincing win for the favourite in the opening Matchbook 50:50 Grad. Series Maiden Hurdle, as Straight John made all for a compelling success.

Jack Kennedy asked his mount to assert over the last and the Robcour-owned gelding stayed on well to post a three-and-three-quarter length success, at odds of 30/100.

Trainer Gordon Elliott said afterwards: “It probably wasn’t the strongest race in the world and I’d say he probably wants two and a half miles.

“I’d say a rated hurdle somewhere would suit him well. He’s very straightforward. Jack said the track was pretty tight for him.”

KILKENNY handler David Walsh saddled his first winner ‘under rules’ when Well Del got up late on in the Watch @SimonNottRacing YouTube Handicap Hurdle.

The Court Cave gelding came to dispute with front-runner Small Town Hero over the last in the three-miler and got on top close home for a neck success, under Calum Hogan.

Walsh, who trains the 3/1 winner for J.P. Delaney, said afterwards: “I only have the licence since November, so it’s great to get the first winner under the belt.

“I’ve had a couple of point-to-point winners and a couple placed in hunter chases before, but that’s my first one under rules. Hopefully I can get a couple more.

“He’s probably a better chaser than a hurdler and we’ll see now whether we go that way again.”

Winning debut for Fahey

A €1,600 investment could be set to reap rich rewards for Niamh Fahey after Keep Twisting made a winning debut in the four-year-old bumper on the card.

The daughter of Capri is trained by the winning owner/rider’s brother Mark and showed a nice attitude to get on top late on in the two-miler.

Fahey got a good tune from the 15/2 shot inside the final furlong, as she collared Brady Hartsfield close home for a three-parts-of-a-length victory.

The winning trainer said: “Niamh was at the sales and she wanted to buy something to ride and she bought her very cheaply as a foal. It was always her plan to bring her in and race her.

“She hasn’t done a whole lot of galloping and you can see that today as she was very green. Niamh was determined and the mare knuckled down for her.

“I’d say she has a pretty big engine. They pulled well clear of the third horse there and she could be something very good and something to look forward to.

“We’re known to sell horses at home too, so she could be for sale.”

More to come

It was a good day for mares on the card and Mark Cahill is hoping there is more to come from Rebel Cowgirl, after her victory in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle

Cian Quirke made virtually all on the 11/1 shot and she answered gamely when joined by Poets Oath over the last to record a half-length win.

“She had been running fairly consistently on her last few runs,” said Cahill of Frank McNulty’s mare.

“Two and a half, going a right good gallop, is probably ideal for her.

“We held her up a bit the last day over two miles seven in Thurles and it didn’t work out for us. We decided to go back and make the running today and keep kicking.

“She’ll be a nice mare over a fence next year. She’s a well-bred mare, she’s out of a half-sister to Appreciate It.”