Katie again shows her liking for Thurles

Our Katie recorded her third win at Thurles when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Chase in very convincing fashion.

Successful in a mares' beginners event here a fortnight ago, the eight-year-old grey was sent off a well-backed 11/10 favourite to follow up here against four opponents.

Brian Hayes elected to track the front-running Down Under until taking over at the second last, where the previous leader made a mistake.

Hayes could afford to relax on the run-in as his mount stretched right away to beat Down Under by an easy four and a half lengths. Carrigeen Kigelia kept on one paced to finish another 13 lengths further back in third.

Winning trainer Garrett Ahern said, "She didn't travel as well on the ground the last day but Brian (Hayes) said he never had to get after her at all today.

"She's had two quick runs in a fortnight and might run at Limerick in the Dawn Run Chase over two and a half miles on St Patrick's weekend."

(TW & AM)