Ballychorus and Adrian Heskin pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
The Mags Mullins trained Ballychorus put in a game front running display to win the Galway City & Salthill Publicans EBF Mares Hurdle.
The six-year-old daughter of King's Theatre has been a model of consistency for connections and she won a three mile hurdle at Cork on her last start.
Available at 6/1 last night she opened on-course at 5's before going off the well-backed second favourite at 10/3.
Sent straight to the front by Adrian Heskin she was pushed along and challenged by Tri Na Ceile as they entered the straight.
She was ridden after the last and responded well for pressure, keeping on best to score by two lengths.
Tri Na Ceile had to settle for second under Barry Geraghty for Jessica Harrington at 7/1 while Harrington was also responsible for Duckweed (10/1) who finished a further four lengths back in third under Robbie Power. Daisy's Gift was sent off the 15/8 favourite and she finished a disappointing fifth under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins.
Mags Mullins said afterwards: "She is tough, fierce honest and consistent and Barry (Connell, owner) is a big fan.
"I'll talk to Barry but I'm not sure where we'll go next. She isn't one for real heavy ground and needs a bit of juice - she runs well every day."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
