Sea Skates In

Dick Donohoe ended a lean spell of almost a year when Sea Skate under Sean McDermott brought form figures of 0000 to an end when causing a 16/1 surprise in the Mount Leinster Handicap Hurdle.

Rated 106 at the peak of her powers, Sea Skate (three times a winner on the level and a hurdle winner too) was now competing off 88 and she arrived to challenge travelling well two out, going away on the run-in to beat favourite, Pipers Blaze by four lengths.

Donohoe said: "That was a surprise. She broke down a couple of years ago and it looked as if she was going to run poor again today going past the stands but Sean said they went very fast and she stayed on best. I thought with a circuit to go it was the paddocks for her! She'll go for another handicap hurdle next, maybe in Listowel. She doesn't like very soft ground though."