The Edward Stanners trained Curvacious and jockey David Splaine, gave their supporters a brief scare when causing a 12/1 upset to win the six runner Kelly Brothers Mares Hurdle at Killarney today.

Even money favourite Speckled Wood was giving chase in third when blundering the third last flight, but made headway from the next to chase Curvacious approaching the last flight.

Just strides before the final flight Splaine, riding a finish, apparently failed to spot that that obstacle was not in line with the running rail, forcing Curvacious to duck right to avoid colliding with a marker. Fortunately the pair regained balance quickly and went on to hold the challenge of Speckled Wood by two lengths.

Afterwards Stanners stated “she had been running on softer ground that what she wants and at Punchestown the last day it was very testing. She'll be kept on the go now as long as the ground doesn't become too quick.

By Thomas Weekes