Banntown Girl off the mark over hurdles

The second split of the of the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle, like the first, went the way of the market leader as Banntown Girl justified 8/13 favouritism in the hands of Philip Byrnes.

Always prominent, the consistent daughter of Stowaway was left in front when Marciano ran out just past halfway. Conyers Hill loomed up on her outside at the last and looked a big threat but the winner pulled out more in the straight to account for that rival by three and a half lengths.

Banntown Girl had finished second to subsequent Punchestown festival winner Broomfield Bijou at this venue last month.

Winning trainer Sonny Carey said: "It's great to get her off the mark over hurdles. I thought we were goosed turning in but Philip was great, he filled her up the whole way down the back and rode her to get home.

"I'd say two miles is her trip, she's not slow.

"The drop of rain before racing was no harm as she's a big mare, but actually her best runs were in Leopardstown on decent ground.

"She's a great mare though, fifteen runs, two wins, twelve times in the first four and one bad run at Cheltenham. And she's four times black-type as well, it's fair going.

"She has a mark of 109 over fences so we could do that at some stage but we've nothing in mind yet for her next run."