Ta Na La finally shed her maiden tag and in style too under Shane O'Callaghan© Photo Healy Racing
She ran some creditable races in the past when in John Clarke's ownership and this evening at Bellewstown American-bred Ta Na La finally came good, now in the Helen Walsh silks, to take the Phil & Patsy Kierans Memorial Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Smooth travelling Ta Na La came with her bid on the inner in the straight. Shane O'Callaghan's confidence in his mount was justified when she asserted when asked to beat Birmingham Alabama by eight and a half lengths.
The winning owner's husband Ted does the training on Ta Na La (11s into 13/2) and he said: "The trip suited her I'd say, two and a-half.
"She had a good run the last day at Punchestown and had a good run last year at Tramore. If she reproduced that, she had her chance. A couple of in between runs as well.
"She will mix and match, she'll go for a hurdle race somewhere else now.
"She might go to Galway if there was something for her. She's a middle of the road mare."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Cottesloe Sunshine trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
A.P. Kelly, rider of Mill House Creek (GB), trained by Stephen Gerard Carey, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount pulled up injured.
T. Ryan, rider of Slim Marvel (FR), trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was short of room several times. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
(MG & EM)
