Strange Notions a first for Morgan/O'Brien axis

There were five horses in contention racing to the last in the mares' handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe but it was Strange Notions who powered home for Hugh Morgan.

The High Chaparral mare was going the best of the quintet as she led narrowly jumping the final obstacle.

A good jump enabled her to make the best way home. She came wide into the straight and scooted clear in the final furlong without Morgan having to get serious. Humm Baby finished six and a half lengths behind the winner in second at 4/1.

The 10/3 joint favourites, No Memory and Le Hachette came in fourth and last respectively in this six-runner heat.

Morgan said: “The main thing was to get her to switch off, which she did, given the testing ground.

“She seemed to love it and it was a pleasing performance.

“It’s lovely to get a winner for Mr (Charles) O’Brien and it’s my first for him.”

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy