Samantha Jones flies over the last on her way to victory under Eddie O'Connell© Photo Healy Racing
Second reserve Samantha Jones made the most of her opportunity as she took the Like Us On Facebook Handicap Hurdle under Eddie O’Connell on her first start for Michael Winters.
Formerly trained by Andrew McNamara, the seven-year-old daughter of Brian Boru ran in two point-to-points earlier this year, when trained by her owner Eileen Cotter.
She fell at Dromahane in April but she returned to the Co Cork venue earlier this month where she ran out a very easy winner of a mares maiden.
Sent off at 11/1, she led before the fourth flight and turning for home she travelled strongly.
She was ridden after the second last and a fine leap at the last sealed the deal as she came home an comfortable four and a half length winner. Courtncatcher kept on to take second at 22/1 under Andrew McNamara for Patrick Duffy while the 9/2 favourite, Push The Button was two and a half lengths back in third under Brian O’Connell for John Joe Walsh. Kilcross Boy completed the placings a head back in fourth under Paddy Kennedy for John Clifford at 14/1.
Michael Winters said afterwards: "I only have her a fortnight. The Cotters done a great job with her, they had her when she won her point-to-point.
"The credit will go to me but the Cotters have done all the work with her. She won her point-to-point very impressively and I was lucky to get her.
"She’s not over big, she loved the ground and we will race her away now over the summer.
"Eileen and Peter Cotter own her and they are from Newtown in Cork."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
