Asiya scores for Cassidy & Roche

Asiya overcame a four month break to take the concluding mile and three quarters handicap under talented claimer Leigh Roche.

The five-year-old mare, trained near Kilcock by Norman Cassidy for his mother Carmel, travelled sweetly to lead early in the straight but needed to dig deep from the furlong pole to hold off a number of challengers.

The 14/1 chance had a length and a quarter to spare at the line over the strong-finishing pair Define (9/2) and Ghareer (7/1) who dead-heated for second. Spring Hawk (12/1) was fourth.

Cassidy said, “What's seldom is wonderful! She's very honest and is some certainty for a maiden hurdle, with a bit of luck. We may keep her for a big mares Flat handicap at Sligo in about six weeks.”

Alan Magee