For Gortnatona too strong in Wexford

For Gortnatona made all and took the mares maiden hurdle in Wexford by the scruff of the neck to give Mick Winters and Johnny Burke a winner.

The seven-year-old asserted before the second last and had all the pursuers in trouble. She was clear at the last and bounded home to score by nine lengths at 3/1.

Handler Mick Winters said: "She jumped like an ox, she gained two lengths at the back of each hurdle. Her mother (Dromhale Lady) was an awful tough mare who kept improving and won a load of races (seven) for Michael Hourigan.

"We might go for a chase with her now. We put on the cheekpieces as Adrian Heskin said the last day that she was a little bit idle and that she needed the run." Twenty Four Years was always prominent in third but had no answer to the winner and came home second at 9/2. Petite Beauty ran a decent race in third at 80/1. This was only her second hurdle race after four unplaced efforts on the flat.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy