Drought Over for Culloty Gold Cup winning trainer Jim Culloty recorded his first track success since March of 2014 as his Winter's Over took the Killarney Avenue/Munster Joinery Maiden Hurdle. The six-year-old son of Oscar was well-beaten on his first two starts in November of last year but he ran well to finish fourth on his debut over flights at Clonmel in February. Stepped up in trip to two and a half miles today he was sent off an easy to back 7/1 chance under Brian O'Connell. Prominent early he was soon settled behind the leaders and was second with a circuit to race. He travelled strongly to challenge before three out and was soon on terms. He gained a narrow lead before the next and was ridden away from that flight, extending his advantage before the last and keeping on well on the run-in to score by a length and a half. Edith Somerville, who was backed from 12/1 to 8/1 on-course, ran a fine race to finish second under Barry Geraghty for Sabrina Harty while Shouband was a further length and three parts back in third under Paddy Mangan for John Morrison. Shake It Up was sent off the 11/4 favourite (from 10/3 on-course) and he finished a further four lengths back in fourth under Jonathan Burke for Jim Dreaper. Culloty declined to talk to the press afterwards. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
