Crackerdancer impresses on hurdling debut

Crackerdancer put in an impressive performance on her debut over flights, as she came home an easy winner of the 'David Fitzgerald - Take It Easee' Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Successful on her last three starts, winning a Listed bumper last time out, the Ray Hackett trained seven-year-old was sent off a 13/8 chance this afternoon, with Cut The Mustard the 9/10 favourite.

Sent straight to the front by Eoin O'Brien, the victorious daughter of Robin Des Champs made all, stretching clear before two out, going on to score by twenty-five lengths. Lackaneen Leader finished second at 10/1 under Keith Donoghue for Gordon Elliott, while State Of Nirvana (5/1) was another seven lengths back in third for Andrew Lynch and Tom Taaffe.

The aforementioned Cut The Mustard faded tamely before the home straight, and she eventually finished a disappointing eighth.

Hackett said afterwards: "She was good and I was very impressed. She is maybe too brave at times, she'll have a cut if you let her and in fairness Eoin gave her a great ride.

"She was having a good look around over the first few and hopefully will improve a good bit from it which would be great.

"I think we'd have to look at the Mares' Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham now - I don't see why not. She's not a mud-lark, and if there's ease in it (ground) she's fine. If there's any juice at all, she'll be fine but you wouldn't like to chance her on really quick ground.

"There's a mares' novice hurdle for her next at Fairyhouse on the second week in February and after that, we'll let Patsy and Sharon (O'Brien, owners) decide on Cheltenham."

STEWARDS REPORTS

Owing to the low lying sun, the Stewards granted permission for the omission of the third last hurdle in this race.

D.E. Mullins, rider of Cut The Mustard (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a mistake at the fourth last hurdle.

L.P. Gilligan, rider of Queen Barack trained by Donal Hassett, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle the ground.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Cut The Mustard (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post race. Samples were taken for analysis.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes