Lauderdale Lady and Tommy Brett jump the last © Photo Healy Racing
Lauderdale Lady (7/1) made all the running to win the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle in the hands of regular partner Tommy Brett.
Beaten just a head in an ‘unplaced maiden’ at Roscommon on her previous outing, she had the pursuing pair Bourbon Borderline (11/4) and The Broghie Man (6/4 fav) in trouble on the long run between the final two flights.
The former tried to make a race of it on the run-in but the successful Mustameet mare had two lengths to spare at the line, with the market leader four and a half lengths further back in third.
The winner was getting off the mark on her fifth start over flights.
Winning trainer John Ryan said: "She’s a nice mare — she’s got a good pedigree and there’s a bit of speed in her breeding.
“She was unlucky to be caught last time and I’d imagine a rated novice could be next for her, but we’ll see what the handicapper does.
“She’ll go on the soft which is a help. She actually wants it softer than that.”
Winning rider Tommy Brett added: “She’s a straightforward ride. I said I’d make plenty of use of her as she probably wants to go further.
"She had a good look coming to the last. She was probably starting to get a bit lonely, but once I heard the second horse coming to me she went on again for me.”
Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy