Odds-on Ashroe made to work for her win

Ashroe Diamond was made to work for her win in the opener at Naas this afternoon, the Cavan Developments Home Builders Supporting St Marys GAA Maiden Hurdle.

Successful in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree in April, the Willie Mullins-trained bay was expected to follow-up today, going off the clear 4/9 favourite.

Soon settled behind the leaders on the inner by Paul Townend, the Walk In The Park five-year-old travelled strongly before the second last and was switched to the outer to deliver her challenge on the run to the final flight.

She clipped that hurdle and was soon ridden, getting to the front inside the final 100 yards, going on to prevail by a length-and-a-quarter.

The runner-up, Kansas City Star (12/1), lost little in defeat and after hitting the front approaching the last, he ultimately had to settle for second under Jack Kennedy.

The front pair went six-and-a-half lengths clear of the front-running Cillians Charm (20/1) in third.

David Casey, representing Mullins, said: "Paul said she was a little bit fresh but jumped very well. She had a little blow but toughed it out well at the end.

"I don't think there is a mares race for a while so she came here. She didn't have to give away the allowance being a bumper winner coming here today.

"She had been working well at home and jumping very well so she was ready to go.

"There is a nice mares novice in Thurles before Christmas that she could go for but all those races are open to her.

"Her long term aim is going to be the Mares Novice (Cheltenham) and hopefully she will stay in one piece."

Paddy Power and Betfair cut the winner into 6/1 (from 7/1) for the Mares Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee