Carrig Wells a winner for the Fitzgeralds

The Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Mares Maiden Hunter Chase went to Carrig Wells (5/1) for the Fitzgerald family.

Trained by Martin Fitzgerald for the mare's breeder Joseph Fitzgerald, the nine-year-old was partnered by the winning trainer's son Danny who produced her to lead two out and kept her going to beat the always-prominent Dul Ar Aghaidh by two and a quarter lengths.

The dual point-to-point winner had been runner-up in the corresponding contest two years ago.

Martin Fitzgerald said: "She has been placed in a couple of good hunter races and was knocking on the door in hunter chases so it was great to get one. The form of her Thurles run is holding up with yesterday's Fairyhouse winner Boss Robin

"She had a poor enough start to the season but other than that, has hardly ever been out of the first three.

"She will probably go to Tramore now and might go to Punchestown where she could have a spin around and I think she'd gallop away with them.

"Danny is 19, has won two point-to-points on her and I actually used to ride out Carrig Wells' uncle Falmouth Bay (nine-time winner) when I was 16 over in Simon Sherwood's in England. I rode 30 winners as an amateur in Ireland, England and Wales."

Quotes from Tom Weekes