Seven pound claimer, Eddie O’Connell excelled on Chasing Clouds in the opener of the season at Sligo, the Smirnoff Mares Maiden Hurdle, getting his mount up to beat Model County Lass by a head.

On her fifth start for James Lambe, the daughter of Acclamation (previously with Ger Lyons and John O’Shea and breaking her maiden at the nineteenth attempt) quickened well on the run-in to beat Model County Lass (she had looked sure to score).

Lambe commented afterwards: "That was a very good ride by Eddie. I told him to leave it as late as possible and he rode her to a tee as she is a little bit lazy. It's a nice pot to get. She is a nice mare with a future and we'll try to get a mares race for her now. That ground was probably a bit soft for her."

Barry 'Bon' O'Neill, rider of the runner-up, Model County Lass, was banned for a day for using his whip with excessive frequency.