Donna delivers with the minimum of fuss

La Prima Donna made the breakthrough with the minimum of fuss in the tipperaryraces.ie Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Second four times from six career starts, the Willie Mullins trained five-year-old was a good fifth of twenty-four in a valuable Grade B contest at the Punchestown Festival on her most recent start.

That Punchestown effort was in handicap company and back against maidens this evening, she was sent off the well-backed 2/13 favourite, from early shows of 1/3.

Settled behind the leaders by Paul Townend, the Kenny Alexander owned bay jumped to the front four out and eased clear from the second last, coming home four-and-three-parts of a length to the good. Emily Roebling (7/2) had to settle for minor honours yet again, while Bang On Target (12/1) was all of twenty-one lengths back in third.

"She looked the one to beat on paper but she still had to come here and do it. She jumps well and handled the ground quite well," Townend said.

"She has been running in competitive handicaps so it was probably a lot slower than she has been going the last couple of days.

"She had no problem getting two-and-half miles and is quite versatile. She is a mare for the future and is going the right way."

STEWARDS REPORT

G.P. Brouder, rider of Maska Du Morvan (FR) trained by Mary Ellen Doyle, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was dropped in and ridden to get home.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee