'Ride of the century' from Quirke as Maggie beats the hot pot

Maggie Walsh got up on the line to deny 4/9 favourite So Des Flos in the Fairyhouse Supporting Treo Eile Maiden Hurdle.

Rated 84 and without a win from 14 starts prior to today, the Michael Bowe trained six-year-old was available at 20/1 in early shows, eventually going off a 10/1 chance after coming in for some market support.

Settled in rear by Cian Quirke, who recorded a double at Down Royal yesterday, the bay victor was still in rear approaching the straight.

She soon made progress on the outer and jumped the last in a share of third, powering home when ridden on the run-in, getting up to prevail by a nose.

Davy Russell was aboard the runner-up for Gordon Elliott, while Rideau Canal (16/1) was another three lengths away in third.

"That's not just ride of the year, it's ride of the century," the winning trainer said.

"We saw what he could do yesterday up the north in Down Royal and what he did today was unbelievable.

"I said to him 'Cian I'm giving you no instructions, you do what you feel like'. It's the first time I've said it to him and I won't be giving him any instructions from now on.

"It's 90 percent confidence and the rest of it is ability, but he has ability.

"Unfortunately he won't keep his 7lb claim for too long the way he is going because he's value for that 7lb.

"I take no credit for winning that race and the mare didn't take any credit either, all the credit goes to the rider.

"I've always believed in her, she's a marvellous work mare at home. Nothing can live with her in her home work but when she comes to the track she doesn't produce what she does at home.

"Today she showed just a glimpse of what she can do. Maybe she'll improve and maybe she won't but she's a nice mare to have anyway.

"Her dam (Akatara) was a character of a mare and she's in foal to Fifty Stars. She won three over three miles and this lady will stay three miles too. She'll also jump a fence as well, she's a tremendous jumper.

"She's a handy mare but she's very deep bodied and very strong. She has a good attitude, she's genuine. She's a Dylan Thomas, some people like them and some don't. I'm getting to like them now."

STEWARDS REPORT

Owing to low trajectory of the sun, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for hurdle number five to be omitted from this race.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson