Cathys Quest gets off the mark in style

The first division of the Sean Daly Cornaher Memorial Opportunity Handicap Hurdle went to 13/2 chance Cathys Quest. 

Ridden by John Shinnick, the half-sister to ill-fated ten-time winner Sole Pretender took over in front four out and stayed on strongly to beat Tango Theatre by fifteen lengths.

Terence O'Brien, who trains the six-year-old for the Coolglen Syndicate, said: “She's from a very good family and we thought that she'd win a long time before this, we were very disappointed with her to be honest. 

“We're not really sure what the problem was. It's hard to get her to eat and she was always a little bit light. She's thriving a little bit better than she was. 

“We always felt this was in her and there is probably more in her. Hopefully she'll progress and she can jump a fence. I think she could be a decent enough mare, even though she's off a low mark. 

“I thought ground might be important to her but I'm not really sure if it's that or just her attitude. She seems to be hardening up to it now and that was a decent performance from where she started. 

“At Wexford she had a terrible run, improved a little bit here the next time and then finished fourth in Killarney. This is a progression and hopefully if she keeps going she might pick up a few more.” 

Quotes from Gary Carson