Apt Manor finished best to land the spoils in the opening Ladies Maiden at Tramore this afternoon. Benefit Of Porter looked set to collect in the 1m6f contest after kicking clear down the hill but started to wilt inside the final furlong.
Ashling O'Brien proved cool on Apt Manor, who picked off that rival and went on for a cosy length-and-a-quarter success.
"That's Ashling's first ride for us and she couldn't have done it any better," said Gary Davis, Willie Mullins' travelling head lad.
"She timed it well and didn't panic. He'll mix it between the Flat and hurdles now."
O'Brien had claimed the race two years ago aboard Fingers, trained by her father Kevin, and partnered that horse to two subsequent victories.
"That was a great day," said the winning jockey. "Unfortunately Fingers suffered a heart attack before Punchestown when he was due to go chasing. I was heart broken."
