Easy for Naughtinesse on hurdles debut

Naughtinesse claimed the opener at Tipperary this evening, the Hotel Minella Mares Maiden Hurdle, on what was her first try over flights.

The Lorna Fowler trained six-year-old won a bumper at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day and was last seen finishing a solid eighth in a Grade 2 contest at Aintree.

Sent off a 5/2 chance today, the Kayf Tara bay was settled in mid-division by Conor Orr and had plenty to do in fifth from four out.

Not fluent at times, she made good progress from the next and travelled best from early in the straight. Sent to the front from the final flight, she came home three-and-a-half lengths to the good. Music Of Tara who was sent off the 5/4 favourite, had to settle for second under Rachael Blackmore for Henry de Bromhead, while Borntobeyours (33/1) was twenty-two lengths away in third.

"She's still green. Obviously, she's schooled lots at home, but she was ready to go - she was quite wild. She will definitely improve technically for that, and for the experience in every way. It was kind of easy for her, which was nice," Fowler said.

"For the record, at Aintree, she was in season, and that's the reason why I didn’t run her in Punchestown, because she was in season again. She was entered for it, and then she was in season, so we just scrapped it, and that’s why we came here, so hurdles now.

"If she's okay, I’d like to give her another run. They do beautiful ground here, but there's plenty of give in it, and she'd take even a little less give, funnily enough. She’s versatile enough in that respect.

"She’s home-bred, and Harry (Fowler) owns her along with Alex Frost and Pete Davies. It's a great result. Where she'll go from here, we don’t know, but you'd like to think she’ll improve. But they’re not anything until they prove it, are they? Right now, she's won first time over hurdles, and we'll take that."

The winner is a half-sister to three-time Grade 1 winner Don Poli.

STEWARDS REPORTS

A.P. Kelly, rider of Ladylea trained by M.C.Hickey, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly.

P.J. Carberry, rider of Nifty Millie trained by Brian M. McMahon, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Take Tea trained by W.P. Mullins was found to be lame right fore post race.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes