THE David Christie-trained Maple Mons had 14 starts before she landed a five-year-old mares’ maiden at Lingstown in November 2013 but there has been little doubt since that she has been one of the toughest mares to race between the flags.

This was really proven over the final two weekends of the season as she and regular partner Barry O’Neill were both sore following a parting of ways at Inchydoney on Sunday, May 28th but, six days later, they won the mares’ open at Kinsale and a similar race at Ballingarry the following afternoon.