Pear springs surprise in Kilbeggan opener The Tom Taaffe trained Cherish The Pear sprang a 25/1 surprise in the opener at Kilbeggan this evening, the Kinnegad Maiden Hurdle. The five-year-old daughter of Old Vic had two runs to her name before today, finishing fifth in two bumpers in earlier 2012. Making her debut over hurdles this evening, she travelled strongly after the fourth last and she hit the front just before three out. She kicked on from there and kept on well to score by three and three parts of a length from the 6/5 favourite (was 2/1 this morning with Paddy Powers) Dancing Roe in second under Alan Crowe for Christy Roche. Saltmills Blackie, who was prominent throughout, finished a further four and a half lengths back in third under Andrew Lynch for Henry De Bromhead at 11/1 (drifted from an opening show of 5/1 this morning). Tom Taaffe said afterwards: "I'm delighted for Graham (Belfast based solicitor) and David Keys - it's great for them. Graham has had a terrible time personally recently with losing his wife and it's nice for him to get a boost. "She's a well-bred filly and had been working well at home. I told them beforehand I thought she was a ridiculous price. "I bought her as a two-year-old and Graham had been looking for a filly with a good pedigree. She's a lovely looking filly and has a good page. "I'd expect her to come on again for that and we'll tip away over the summer. She wouldn't run on firm ground but we'll continue on good ground. "Paul said that rode like yielding ground on her but walking it beforehand I thought it was a bit dead." The winner cost €12,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale in 2010 and she is a half-brother to Provo who won a bumper for Paul Nicholls at Wincanton last October. She is also out of a half-sister to Our Ben who won seven times for Willie Mullins, including the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork in 2007. Additional reporting from Gary Carson
