Polly gallops her rivals into the ground

Pollywollydoodle finally got that all important win to her name, as she galloped her rivals into the ground in the RSS Document Storage Maiden Hurdle.

The Eoin Griffin trained six-year-old daughter of Oscar opened at 9/2 on-course, going off the 10/3 second favourite under Eddie O’Connell.

Slightly reluctant before the start, she went straight into the lead and went clear. She kept up the gallop throughout and was ridden from the second last, going on to score easily by eleven lengths. Blue Dynasty came out of the pack to try and chase her down, and he ran a creditable race to finish second at 33/1 under Robbie Power for Oliver Power. Western Star (16/1) was twenty lengths back in third under Barry Cash for Aidan Howard, while the 5/2 favourite (opened at 3/1 on-course), Tapaigh An Deas, could only manage a disappointing eight under Barry Geraghty for Dessie Hughes (Geraghty later reported to the Stewards that his mount didn't handle the ground).

Eoin Griffin said afterwards: "It’s been a long time coming. She has lots of ability.

"She has been very unlucky and was brought down and clipped heels in the past.

"She is very hard on herself and she is not the easiest at the start as you can see, but she does have a big heart.

"We were working trying to settle her, but it wasn’t making much difference so we decided to be more positive we her.

"I felt going out on the second circuit that she was running with the choke out a bit, but she stayed going and grind them into the ground.

"Her pedigree is all stayers. It is nice that she has won a maiden hurdle as Maurice (winning owner Maurice Sheehy) is into his breeding.

"I’m delighted for him as he has been a good patron and has supported me through the tough times.

"She will tip away over hurdles now, and go over fences next year."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson