Artist proves a class act

Court Artist opened her account over hurdles in fine style at Ballinrobe when running out an easy winner of the mares maiden hurdle. Now Let Go made the running in the two-and-a-half mile contest but Ruby Walsh moved up menacingly on the 7/4 favourite after the second last.

The Willie Mullins-trained mare hit the front jumping the final flight and soon asserted entering the straight.

Walsh could afford to coast home in the closing stages to record a 10-length success over Rap Queen, who stayed on to take second.

The winner had taken a Kilbeggan bumper in July before finishing well held in sixth on her hurdling debut at Down Royal earlier this month.

"Her experience and the step-up in trip was a help. They were going that bit slower than they were in the north the last day," said Walsh.

(Quotes by Eamonn Murphy)