Keppols gains deserved win in opener

Keppols Queen gained reward for her consistency when landing the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

Runner-up to Shaneshill at Fairyhouse last time, the six-year-old daughter of Indian River was prominent throughout in this two-mile event.

Robbie Power sent her to the front after halfway, although a couple of rivals threw down challenges in the straight.

I’m All You Need ran well above his 50/1 starting price but wasn’t helped by a bad peck on landing two out, while 4/5 favourite A Hardy Nailer was unable to find any extra approaching the final flight.

Keppols Queen (11/4) asserted at this point, and drew right away on the run-in to beat I’m All You Need by six and a half lengths.

A Hardy Nailer was a further length and a quarter back in third.

Winning trainer Jessica Harrington said, "She had the form to do it and had plenty of experience but was unlucky to have been running into one too good. She was unlucky one day at Ballinrobe when they took out the last hurdle.

"I was thinking of going over fences with her but I might keep her to hurdles now and try for some black-type."

Harrington trains the winner for Rathangan owner/breeder Mona O'Loughlin.