Lady surprises on first start for Nicholson

Dashing Lady sprang a 25/1 surprise in the Malton Handicap Hurdle scoring on her first start for Co Kilkenny based trainer John Nicholson.

Owned by Dr Ronan Tynan of the Irish Tenors fame, the six-year-old daughter of Black Sam Bellamy was formerly trained by Colin Bowe.

She won a point-to-point on her third outing at Killeagh back in January of 2013 but disappointingly failed to score on her next ten starts on the track.

Having raced just behind the leaders under Mark Enright she travelled best turning into the straight for the final time and she hit the front before the third last.

She was ridden away from two out and a perfect jump at the last sealed the deal as she went on to score by an eased down two and a quarter lengths. Fantastic Bob went off the 7/2 favourite (from 5/1 this morning) and he kept on to take second under Davy Russell for Austin Leahy while Ronava (5/1) was a further half a length back in third under Jonathan Burke for Richard Cotter. Bonifacio (9/1 from 16's this morning) completed the placings a further four and three parts of a length back in fourth.

John Nicholson said afterwards: "I was a bit slow starting this year but I’ve a couple of good excuses to go to Galway now (won with Up The Hill at Roscommon last week).

"Ronan only lives only over the road from me and I only have her a month. He put pressure on me to run her because he is leaving for America at three in the morning.

"She was balloted out of Sligo yesterday but I’m bloody glad she was now!”

STEWARDS REPORTS

John Winston, rider of Curragh Golan trained by Garrett James Power, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was pulled up having gone lame behind.

D.G. Hogan, rider of Benalex Park (GB), trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not handle the ground.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes