Easy win for Top Madam

Top Madam recorded her eighth career success as she took the opener at Bellewstown this evening, the Good Enuf To Eat Event Catering Mares Hurdle, in convincing fashion.

The Donal Coffey trained mare was sent off the 2/5 favourite to account for her three rivals, with Kathleen Francis going off the 4/1 second choice of punters.

Ridden by Harley Dunne, the seven-year-old daughter of Beneficial made all the running, kicking for home before the second last, stretching clear on the run-in to score easily by nine lengths.

Kathleen Francis, for Ben Dalton and Dot Love, finished back in second, just a neck in front of Only Exception

Harley Dunne said afterwards: "That was as easy as you like, she jumped well and I knew she’d handle the ground.

"She’d go on anything, she’s a great mare.

"I kicked on in the straight to make sure David Casey (aboard Only Exception) didn’t catch me."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham