Beautiful Citi clears the last under Davy Russell© Photo Healy Racing
A bad mistake two out from the 8/15 favourite Diamond Hill gifted the Jet O'Carroll Memorial Irish EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle to Beautiful Citi
Travelling strongly in front, the Willie Mullins trained market leader crumpled on landing at the penultimate obstacle, and quickly dropped to fourth.
The Joseph O'Brien trained Beautiful Citi (9/4), who was being pushed along in second at the time, was then left in front, and she soon went clear, going on to score easily by nine lengths under Davy Russell. Duchess Ravenwaves ran a fine race to take second at 25/1 under David Mullins for Andy Oliver, while the front-running Indian Music (12/1) was another two and three parts of a length back in third.
Diamond Hill was a further length and a half away in fourth.
Russell said afterwards: "On form it was down to the two of us, and obviously Paul (Townend on Diamond Hill) looked a bit unlucky."
Owner/breeder Sean O'Driscoll added: "It's a great day. It's not often a Cork man gets to take a trophy out of Kerry so I'm absolutely delighted.
"She ran in the Cork colours and had a Cork man on her back so what more could we want. We got one up on Kerry for a change.
"She's a lovely, lovely mare. I bred her myself and have a three-year-old full-brother to her. He just went into training with Joseph last week. He is a fine horse as well and we are looking forward to him next year.
"She has never disappointed us, she has a great attitude and has it all. Hopefully if she stays sound we will have an exciting future with her.
"Joseph O'Brien is just a genius. He has the bloodlines, he is just an extraordinary fine young man and a wonderful trainer. It's a pleasure to have horses with him."
