Cloughmile wins for in-form Hourigan

Trainer Michael Hourigan, successful at the Cheltenham Festival last week with A New Story, was on the mark at Thurles today, saddling Cloughmile to win the Devil's Bit Maiden Hurdle, under a fine ride from Sean McDermott.

McDermott, who was partnering his eighth win of the season, raced the daughter of Oscar in mid-division before moving through to lead two out, eventually staying on well for a five lengths success.

Afterwards Hourigan reported “Cloughmile won a point to point and was second in a hunters chase here in January. She might not be too bad and Sean (McDermott) said she may improve on better ground. She may run next in a winners' race at Limerick in a few weeks time.”