Lady Lingo proved a game winner of the Yellow Furze Mares Maiden Hurdle at Navan for Cork handler Joe Hennessy.

The Durban Thunder mare was to the fore throughout under Richie Deegan and fought doggedly when pressed in the closing stages.

The 15/2 shot (10/1 in morning) was joined by Must Be Obeyed over the final flight but found plenty in the closing stages.

She went on to post a half length success as Donthavetime finished well to grab the second. There was three-parts-of-a-length back to Powerful Out in third with Must Be Obeyed eventually fourth.

The winner had been a good third in Thurles last October and was making her first start since finishing well beaten in a handicap at Punchestown last December.

“She ran very well on her first run back after the lockdown but she wants nice ground and after the last day we left her off for three months,” said Hennessy.

“We brought her back in around St Patrick's Day and this was the last day before the break in the national hunt racing. We were lucky we got in and we actually thought she might need the run.

“She's handicapped but she might get a few more pounds for this. We'll keep her on the go as she likes good ground.

“Her dam is a half-sister to Bob Lingo and Talk The Lingo. They seemed to like Galway so we might go there with her.”