All About Lucy and Richie Deegan win the O Flynn Motors Mallow mares Maiden Hurdle © Photo Healy Racing
All About Lucy overcame some untidy jumping to run out a deserving winner of the O'Flynn Motors Mallow Mares Maiden Hurdle at Cork.
The Eoin McCarthy trained former point-to-point winner travelled into the race easily but almost threw it away by jumping out to her left at the final two flights.
Having taken up the running at the second last, she edged ahead and looked to have the race in safekeeping when a slow jump at the final flight put her on the backfoot.
To her credit, she responded well to the urgings of jockey Richie Deegan and regained the lead close home. Roccos Inspiration who made much of the running under Michael O'Sullivan battled on well for second, with odds-on favourite Knockanard Lady disappointing back in third.
Trainer Eoin McCarthy said: "she is a lovely, big tough filly and will be lovely for chasing next year. We'll probably give her one more run and then she'll go out for the summer.
"Nothing went right for her at Wexford and a loose horse was all over the place but we learned an awful lot about her after her Limerick run. She doesn't take to the padded hurdles as well as the Easifix hurdles but today is more of a reflection of the filly.
"If it dries out too quick she'll go out on holidays."
Owner Kay Sayers added "we were part of the syndicate who owned Hairy Molly (Cheltenham festival bumper winner) and the colours are very similar but not quite the same. We've had a few horses on and off since so hopefully this mare is promising."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
