Seven pound claiming amateur Rachel Blackmore showed plenty of strength to get 14/1 chance Maple Valley Gold home from Seancill Oir (Kevin Sexton) in the Bet With The Bookies Mares Maiden Hurdle at Downpatrick.

This extended two mile five furlong contest had plenty of incident with Shantou's Katie unseating at the fourth and Fromdollarstoeuros the favourite, appeared to go 'wrong' at around the same point and she was soon pulled up. Cheyenne Girl game to grief five out and Maple Valley Gold and Seancill Oir had a protracted battle from the third last pursued by Definite Elegance (had made a mistake at the second).

At the finish half a length and four lengths separated the principals.

They left Miss Island thirteen lengths behind in fourth.

Liam Lennon trains Maple Valley Gold, a winner at the point-to-point in Maralin last month for Patrick Heaney (Omeath, County Louth) and it was the latter that explained: "She's a good mare and I bred her. The dam (Deerpark Gale) died six to eight months ago and I also have Maple Valley Gale out of her.

"I have three in training and Rachel was very good on her.

"I'll talk to Liam but we might get her out again at Christmas."

The other Liam Lennon runner in the race, Without Wings (10/1) finished sixth.

The Stewards interviewed Miss R. Blackmore, rider of Maple Valley Gold, winner, concerning her use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion Miss R Blackmore was in breach of Regulation 10 in that she had used her whip with excessive frequency and she had failed to give her mount time to respond, and having taken her good record into account, they suspended her for 1 raceday.

(MG & EM)