Court proves game in thriller for mares maiden

Barrington Court stuck her neck out close home to win a thriller in the Black Hills (Mares) Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon. Getaway Gorgeous hit the front two from home in the two-miler after long-time leader Lady Breffni (11/8f) pecked at the flight.

Mark Walsh drove Barrington Court up to tackle her turning for home and the pair had a great scrap from the last flight.

The Jessica Harrington-trained mare gained a narrow advantage on the run-in but was all out close home as Getaway Gorgeous rallied to push her to a head.

The 4/1 winner, owned by JP McManus, was making her first outing since finishing third at Listowel last September.

It was a quick brace on the card for Walsh and trainer Harrington was also doubling up after the earlier win of Neverushacon

The trainer said:- “It’s a long time since she ran so she’s entitled to come on a good bit from that. She’ll also come on a good bit from a jumping point of view. They went steady enough which didn’t suit her as she stays very well.

“She hurt herself this time last year over hurdles and then she came back in the autumn and she wasn’t right again after that. Hopefully she’s alright in the morning.

“There is a grand programme for mares’ hurdles and we’ll probably go down that route. She already has black type for a bumper.

“With her pedigree she could run on the Flat as well because she’s got plenty of foot.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)