Three to one on chance Shush whipped around at the start and was slowly away but all was well that ended well for Willie Mullins' daughter of Flemensfirth in the Kilsheelan (Mares) Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

Paul Townend 's mount soon recovered and raced in mid-division, making ground into fourth five out.

Second after three out, the fluent jumping five-year-old improved to lead before two out, and soon ridden Shush kept on well on the run-in to defeat Kilbarry Calling by four lengths.

"She is a mare and is after coming out that (nearest) gate and she took me by surprise," reflected Towend on the incident at the start.

"I didn't think she'd do that but I was lucky we didn't fly over the first and and I was able to get back into the race with a good jump at the first." 

He added: "Plan A was out the window but I was lucky enough I had the animal underneath me to get things back on song.

"She is a strong stayer and the step up to 2m4f probably helped her."

A.E. Lynch, rider of Ballybrowney Walk (FR) trained by James Joseph Mangan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped quickly.

(TW & EM)