Oilily gains important win at Tipp

Oilily shrugged aside a 105 day lay-off to take the Grade 3 Dolores Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle under Andrew Leigh at Tipperary.

The successful daughter of Dr Massini, ridden for the first time by a professional, the trainer's son and daughter have been aboard on all other occasions, took over from Ballyadam Brook after two out. She went on then to prevail by two and a half lengths.

Winning trainer Sean Byrne said: "She is a great mare. We've waited for a long time for one like her and we've looked after her. She got a slight fracture after her last run at Gowran and we stood her in for six weeks. We had hoped to get her to Listowel and I'd say she needed that. We'll probably aim her now at the mares novice race at Down Royal."

Oilily is owned and was bred by Paula Murphy and she was winning her third race here. She finished second on her other six outings.