Pet keeps it in the family at Fairyhouse

Michelle Gannon was in typically bubbly form after saddling Missyspet landed the mares' maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse under Mark Walsh.

The six-year-old was well-backed from 11/2 in the morning, and 9/2 on track, and was sent off the 7/2 favourite in this 19-runner two and a half miles event.

Walsh got the 'jolly' to the front soon after the final flight, and she kept on well to beat Arise And Go Now by a length, with Aunt Nora keeping on a further three quarters of a length away in third.

Ms Gannon said, "She's a deadly mare and I'm very lucky to have her. I won on her mother here eight years ago and this has always been a lucky place for me.

"It proves how good she is when she was only beaten a head by Carrigmoorna Rock (in a Wexford bumper) and they fancy her for Cheltenham.

"She loves that ground and is a chaser in the making. She's a great jumper."

Ms Gannon has just two in training at Johnstown, Co. Kilkenny where she also has a half-sister to the Westerner mare.