Leading point-to-point mare Maple Mons battled gamely on the run-in to open her account ‘on the track’ in the concluding Rosslare Hunters Chase at Wexford this afternoon.

David Christie ’s charge is a nine-time winner ‘between the flags’ and was the joint champion mare in that sphere last season.

She was sent off a 7/1 shot today and was produced to challenge turning for home by Richie Deegan.

The daughter of Great Exhibition got to the front two from home but was joined over the last by 13/8 favourite Sizingdowntherhine

The pair battled it out on the run-in with Maple Mons just shading the verdict by half a length close home.

"She is some mare. That's what we wanted this season, it's her last season and we wanted to win on the racetrack. At the end of the season she will go on the track again to finish up,” said Christie.

"She is a very quirky mare, but for some reason she was very quiet today. It was touch and go whether I'd declared her, but I thought that she is as good as any of them, so I just declared her.

"She would much prefer quick ground, but as she has got older she has learned to handle that ground. Richie said she heard the other horse coming before he did. She battled all the way to the line then.

"We got a great buzz last year with her being joint champion mare (with Carrigeen Acebo . She will tip away now, and might run in a mares Open at Lisronagh in ten days time. She won there last year. We will leave her off then until the new year.

"She has always been a bit better left-handed and I thought this track would suit her."

Richie Deegan added: "On her point-to-point form she was probably the one to beat. If it was a point-to-point she would have been favourite. She stayed at it well, she is real tough, and was tough from the back of the last."

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)