The Boyle Mares Beginners Chase at Roscommon today was won by the Willie Codd trained chasing debutante Conker Nails under Andrew Thornton.

The daughter of Carroll House raced prominently throughout, and although untidy at the second last fence, battled well to see off the challenge of Kilburn Lass by half a length.

Afterwards Codd mentioned “I didn't know about this race until an hour before the entries closed but we had to go for it. She was schooled over fences for the first time last weekend and Andrew (Thornton) gave her a great ride and didn't mess her about.”

He added “Conker Nails doesn't want really fast ground while the ground was too heavy for her at Listowel when she ran better than her finishing position suggested. We might bring her back for a handicap hurdle again now."