Camelia outclasses rivals on Irish debut

The market suggested that Camelia De Cotte had a straight forward task on her Irish debut in the Online Tickets From www.tramore-racecourse.com Mares Maiden Hurdle, and so it proved as she recorded an impressive victory. Rakaia Rosa took the 14-runner field along at a decent pace but was headed by the 1/5 favourite at the fourth last. Blazes Peg tried to throw down a challenge to the Willie Mullins-trained French import at the penultimate flight but the hot-pot was soon in total command.

The daughter of Laveron galloped clear under Ruby Walsh to beat that rival by an easy 15 lengths, with Leila's Island all of 30 lengths further adrift in third.

Walsh said, "I don't know what her form in France was, but it read like she stayed on well the day she ran. She was a bit keen at home so we didn't know how she would react to the track, but she settled relatively well.

"She jumped super, it wasn't the strongest race on paper but I did hear something behind coming to the second last, and I let out a bit of reign, but she still won a long way.

"I'd say it was a good performance. I don't know whether she will stay further but she did that nicely anyway."

Paddy Power cut Camelia De Cotte to 8/1 (from 12/1) for the mares' novice hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Boylesports make the four-year-old their 5/1 second-favourite behind Royal Bond-winning stable companion Airlie Beach, with Augusta Kate, Asthuria and Let's Dance also prominent in a market dominated by the champion trainer.

(DM & AM)