CAOIMHE O’Brien, a sister of established conditional Patrick, registered her first track success when guiding Hey Babbs to victory in the WTW Willis Ladies Handicap Hurdle. Starting off in handicap company and with a tongue-strap fitted for the first time, the Dermot McLoughlin-trained five-year-old was returned at 8/1 (from 16s early).

Content to bide her time on this Alan Smith-owned daughter of Shantou, O’Brien cajoled her mount into contention approaching the straight. Ridden in a close fifth away from two out, she made further inroads before the last and got to the front early on the run-in, keeping on strongly from there to win by three-and-three-quarters of a length.