Chuil proves tough to land mares maiden

Gaoth Chuil produced a game front-running performance to land the spoils in the mares maiden hurdle at Tramore.

The Ted Walsh-trained filly, a daughter of Harzand, won the early battle for the lead in the two-mile-five contest and dug deep when tackled in the closing stages.

Firstly Walk In The Brise came with a challenge at the last flight (normal two out) and then Knockanard Lady stayed on to press in the closing stages.

Gaoth Chuil held off the 4/6 favourite close home to record a half length win under Denis O'Regan.

The 11/2 winner had won a bumper at Tipperary in June and was most recently fifth to Hiddenvalley Lake in a strong contest over timber at Naas last month.

Walsh: "She got a good ride and she stays well. She was entitled to do that. She ran well at Naas the last day where she was fifth in a goodish race.

“I wouldn't have run her had Willie ran the one that was third (Eabha Grace) in Naas. When Willie didn't run that one, I thought I had as good a chance as any of the rest of them. The one that was third today (Walk In The Brise) was well-beaten in Cork the last day. 

"She is a good little mare and that's her level. She will win a handicap somewhere as she gets older, she is only a four-year-old. She made all the day she won in Tipperary. If I could have shouted down to Denis today I would have told him to go on because she lacks a gear. 

"Her mother (Elyaadi) was placed in the Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot which is over two mile six. She won a November Handicap and was second in the two-and-a-half mile handicap at Royal Ascot. 

"She is by a horse that stays in Harzand, so it's stamina all the way and if she gets done, it'll be because she is not quick enough. She won't get done for stamina. She might go to Leopardstown at Christmas for a two-and-a-half mile novice handicap." 

The race was delayed by four minutes as the last flight was dolled off due to the low lying sun.

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)