Pursecco (5/1), in the hands of Jack Kennedy, followed up her Roscommon bumper success to land the opening Maloney & Matthews Mares Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

Whilst the two in front of her in the betting for the extended two mile one furlong event, Bobarlee (8/11 favourite) and Wilms Warrior (11/4) had their issues in the jumping department, Pursecco seemed to hurdle better.

The Prunella Dobbs-trained Pursecco finished best from before the last to swap Wilms Warrior and Bobarlee on the run-in, scoring by two lengths and a neck. Freedom Statue (28s into 10s) ran on for fourth, half a length adrift.

"She is owned by a large group of friends, friends of George (husband) and I (the Fin & Feather Syndicate). One lady came over from the UK just to see her running today," revealed Mrs Dobbs.

"She's a lovely mare, she is consistent and genuine. Her jumping helped her a huge amount. She had jumping experience whereas the Willie Mullins (Bobarlee) one didn't.

"She will probably go the handicap route now. We are on a bit of a roll. We only have two National Hunt horses, her and Antimatter (bumper winner here this summer). They have both won bumpers and now Pursecco has won her maiden hurdle."

(DM & EM)