Bennystiara off the mark in good style

Bennystiara powered home under Mike O'Connor to win the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle in Roscommon for Henry de Bromhead.

She made headway to close on front-running Dakota Beat at the third last and tackled her at the next.

The Kayf Tara mare picked up the lead upon touching down and asserted from a ridden Dakota Beat and Dinera Falso approaching the last.

The 6/4 favourite kept on strongly to draw five and a half lengths clear of Dinera Falso (9/1) who came through for second. Dakota Beat (15/8) dropped three and a quarter lengths further away in third.

O'Connor said: “She's tough little mare. The step up in trip and slightly more ease in the ground probably suited her.

“She jumped her way into the race and it was a matter of just giving her a squeeze and she quickened away.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson