Blackmore on the mark again with Ice

After recording her first win as a professional at Clonmel last Thursday Rachael Blackmore followed-up today as she partnered Whiskey No Ice to victory in the opening Mervue Maiden Hurdle .

The Shay Barry trained six-year-old unseated on his last start at Cork, which was his fourth effort over flights.

Sent off the 11/8 second favourite he was struggling in third turning in to the straight.

However he responded well for pressure from the last, keeping on best in the closing stages to score by three and a quarter lengths.

The well-backed Vermout Fougeray (20/1 last night and returned at 5's) had to settle for second, under Brian Hayes for Joe Dullea, having hit the front with 200 yards to race.

The 5/4 favourite Iffjack finished a further three and a half lengths back in third after looking the most likely winner turning in.

Shay Barry said afterwards: "That's my first winner from my new yard at Lord Waterford's Curraghmore Estate and it's a great facility to have. I've 25 in at the moment and eight or nine more to come for the winter.

"That was this fellow's Gold Cup today and while he had run well in a bumper, was hobdayed since and had run twice with a tongue-tie since.

"He's a real chasing type and Rachael took seven pounds off which was a big help."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes