Good Thyne Tara and Ruby Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
The Willie Mullins-trained Good Thyne Tara readily landed the odds on her jumping debut in the Kilsheelan Mares Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.
The 4/11 favourite gave backers a fright with a blunder at the first which had Ruby Walsh hanging onto her neck for a few strides to keep the partnership intact.
There weren’t too many worries after that as the dual bumper winner cruised to the front before the penultimate flight, and Walsh remained motionless as she pulled ten lengths clear at the line.
Walsh said, “She made a mistake at the first and she was a bit clumsy at the third but other than that she jumped well.
“It’s very heavy ground, although it’s wet and loose and they went a really good gallop. She handled it better than the rest of them. It’s a good start for her.”
Paddy Power cut her into 12/1 (from 16/1) for the Mares Novice Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.
