Woman extends Perfect run to four Perfect Woman completed a four-timer with a gutsy success in the featured Ballagh Mares Handicap Hurdle at Thurles. The Mick Winters-trained mare began her winning streak in a maiden hurdle at Clonmel, and followed up over fences at Sligo before recording a hat-trick when switched back to hurdles at Cork last Sunday. She was sent off the evens favourite here with a mandatory 6lb penalty for that latest success, and once again adopted her prominent racing style. Mark Walsh in fact elected to make all on the seven-year-old in this 2m4f event, and she responded generously when challenged by Lost Book between the final two flights. She stayed on strongly on the run-in to score by a length and three quarters, with Boherna Lady another four and a quarter lengths away in third. Winters said, "When she gets there she keeps galloping and is a good even galloper with one rhythm. She is a basic ride and got it her own way out in front and is a great jumper. "What she lacks for in class she makes up for with her heart. She's entered at Clonmel next Thursday but probably won't run and might have a small break. "In fairness she is an eight year old and has been in training since she was four. Mark (Walsh) said she loves her competitive racing and the horses being healthy is a huge thing. "We were deciding whether to come here today or Cork on Sunday but we got greedy and got the two of them!" Winning owner John Madden is from Ennis. (TW & AM)
