Irish debutant Calie Du Mesnil had to work to justify 1/2 favouritism in the tipperaryraces.ie Mares Maiden Hurdle but she proved up to the task in race four at 'the junction' under David Mullins.

Mullins always looked happy for his uncle Willie in the Andrea and Graham Wylie silks on the daughter of Kapgarde, but Philip Rothwell's Fiveaftermidnight wasn't going to go down without a fight.

She eventually had to yield in the closing stages as Calie Du Mesnil got there by half a length. They left Kilbarry Angel nine lengths back in third.

"They went a right good gallop and went flat to the boards and I'd say she'll come on a lot from that. She gave a good blow turning in and I had to hold on to her," said the winning rider.

"I was travelling well enough turning in but I wanted to give one good go from the back of the last. She is very straightforward and does everything right and hopefully it's onwards and upwards now."

(TW & EM)