The Christy Roche trained A Country Girl (7/4f) made a winning hurdle debut in the Graun Hill Mares Maiden Hurdle at Tramore today, scoring narrowly under Alan Crowe.

The bumper winning daughter of Flemensfirth was patiently ridden before being produced with her challenge on the outer after three out, eventually moving to the front on the run-in to defeat Tellherimnothere by half a length.

Afterwards Roche said “A Country Girl is a fine mare but lacks a bit of pace. I’m glad I kept her to the ‘second division’ over Christmas and hopefully she’ll make a nice chaser in time.”