Icee M B A placed to good effect by Hourigan

Icee M B A successfully reverted to the lower obstacles to take the second division of the C.J. Sheeran Ltd Handicap Hurdle in Ballinrobe.

The six-year-old Yeats mare won a beginners' chase in Roscommon last week and was well placed by Michael Hourigan to take this hurdle race.

She picked up for Brian Hayes after the last to get the better of Ocean Glandore on the home bend. Father Jed kept her more than honest, though, as he came with a wet sail on the outer.

Icee M B A (2/1f) wasn't for passing and held on by half a length from the 20/1 runner-up. Ocean Glandore completed the placings in third at 20/1.

"She hadn’t done much since she ran the other day (at Roscommon)," Hourigan said.

“She swam every day, that’s all she did, and a little canter.

“She’s improving and she likes this sort of ground although I think she’ll go on bad ground as well. I thought it would be softer here today and that wouldn’t have worried me.

“Brian (Hayes) said she was better today than any time he’s ridden her before.

“She’s better over fences, I’d say. We’ll find something for her at Listowel. That’s the plan, anyway.”

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan