Housekeeper makes light work of rivals

We hadn't seen The Housekeeper since the Christmas Festival at Limerick but the Heron Island mare returned fresh and well to land the Sean Graham Bookmakers Hurdle at Down Royal under Sean Flanagan.

Equipped with a hood for the third time on this occasion, that head-gear has certainly helped the five-year-old and she made it two from three with the aid by making all in this two and three quarter miler. Taglietelle the odds-on favourite, never really looked like reeling back The Housekeeper in the straight and nine and a half lengths separated them at the line.

David Harry Kelly trains The Housekeeper and he commented: "We planned to jump off last but he said there was no pace so it worked out well.

"I couldn't believe she wasn't favourite. She didn't get the credit she probably deserved for her previous run and she'll be exciting over fences.

"Her owner, Joe Hayes passed away a couple of months ago so she is now owned by his wife (Margaret). They are neighbours of mine and Joe bred West Tip.

"We just took a chance on the ground today."

Meanwhile Sean Flanagan remarked: "We went a good gallop and I got a breather into her. She'll be a chaser." (MG & EM)