Knockcroghery who ran a great race yesterday at Tramore to finish second to Eightybarackstreet, went one place better today as she landed the Lydon House Catering Hurdle for her trainer John Nicholson with Declan Bates aboard.
Having won her maiden hurdle at Tramore last August she failed to build on that run until her great effort yesterday and she certainly followed up on that run today, leading from three out before asserting after two out, racing away to score comfortably by ten lengths.
The second favourite Quarton finished best of the rest at 10/3, while Rodriguez was a further twelve lengths back in third at 12/1.
The hot favourite Devil's Elbow at 4/5, ran no sort of race and finished a disappointing fourth for his trainer Ted Walsh with Mark Walsh aboard.
Having opened at 9/1 this morning the winner was backed into 13/2 at the off, with plenty of locals sure to have backed the 4yo for her name alone with the village of Knockcroghery just a few miles away from the track.
Winning trainer John Nicholson, who trains in Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, said afterwards: "She had been running badly, but we discovered her wind was wrong, so she had a wind operation. I have to thank everyone at Sycamore Lodge for all their work, as we always thought a lot of her.
"It's a first ever winner for her joint owner Roy Spiller, who is ninety-one.
"She is handicapped on the flat and we will try a find a flat handicap for her next.
"I wonder what the handicapper will do with her now? I hope he will be gentle on her!
"I had her home at 5 yesterday and she was bucking and playing in the garden and ate up all her food this morning so we said we would bring her here today."
Donal Murphy
