Elimay a Grade 3 winner on chasing debut

Elimay (9/4) held a narrow lead and appeared to be travelling best when left clear by the unfortunately fatal fall of Sinoria (1/1 fav) at the second last in the Grade 3 Kerry Group Irish EBF Mares’ Novice Chase.

Mark Walsh was able to steady his mount before the last ,which she safely negotiated, before pushing her out to defeat Agusta Gold (5/1) by five lengths.

It was another illustration of the vicissitudes of racing, with Sinoria’s owner Kenny Alexander having enjoyed Grade One success last weekend with Honeysuckle, and a winner earlier in the afternoon with Minella Melody at Punchestown.

The French-bred winner, a grey daughter of Montmarte, had shown good form over hurdles at Auteuil for previous handler Carlos Lerner. She had a season hurdling for Willie Mullins last term, running sixth behind Roksana at Cheltenham before winning in lesser company at the Punchestown Festival and at Killarney in May. This was a winning debut over fences for the JP McManus-owned mare.

"I'm delighted with her for her first run and we went a nice gallop, said winning rider Mark Walsh.

"I was a bit on my head but she warmed into it as she went along so you'd have to be very happy with her first run over fences.

"She is only small but you wouldn't think it as she has plenty scope for a small filly. I was going better than Sinoria when she unfortunately fell."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes