Mark Nunan
No Memory is a second Fermoy-trained winner at Ballinrobe
No Memory is clear under Ambrose McCurtin
© Photo Healy Racing
The BoyleSports (Mares) Maiden Hurdle was readily won by 14/1 chance No Memory who provided Fermoy trainer William O’Brien with a first winner since Mctaggart scored on the Flat at Bellewstown in 2014.
The daughter of Westerner, owned by the trainer’s sister Mary, was a point-to-point winner at Ballindenisk last year.
She made progress from mid-division on the final circuit to lead travelling well before the last. From there she went on to beat the staying-on Flamin Aimee (50/1) by four and three quarter lengths, with Fairyhill Run in third.
The 7/2 favourite Not May finished sixth having led until after the second last.
The winner had run quite respectably in her first two hurdle outings at Wexford and Galway, and was ridden by 5lbs claimer Ambrose McCurtin.
It was a good day for Fermoy trainers after the earlier success of Michael ‘Trixie’ Barry’s Dave And Bernie in the third race.
McCurtin could have ridden that winner but was claimed to ride Romella (finished tenth) for John Joe Walsh.
He said: “It was great to see 'Trixie' get a winner. I was disappointed not to be on him but at least this is some compensation.
“She done it very well — she’s improving.
“Liam (O'Brien, trainer) is a gentleman and he’s leading up today as well.”
Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy