Kiely's Pride wins Leopardstown opener

The John Kiely trained Pride Of The Braid arrived late to deny 6/5 favourite Billy's Hope which matched at 1.01 in-running, in the opening 'Download The Coral App' Mares Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown today.

Ridden by Davy Russell, the daughter of Kayf Tara looked booked for second jumping the final flight but finished much stronger than leader Billy's Hope, eventually forcing a photo-finish, with the verdict eventually going in favour of Pride Of The Braid, by a nose.

The pair of mares had previously dead-heated for second place, albeit at different weights, at Punchestown last May and after today's win, Kiely stated “she had dead-heated with the other mare before so the form was consistent with that Punchestown run.

“She's always promised a lot and I couldn't understand her run when she disappointed in Navan but a bit of improvement in her jumping would help her.”

The winner carries the colours of Liam Gleeson, father of RTE presenter Brian Gleeson.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson