Ella pleases her Cork connections

Jonathan Sweeney trained his second winner on the racecourse proper when Ballybrowney Ella landed the Festival Any Day Flexi Ticket Mares Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown under Ambrose McCurtin.

A Bartlemy point-to-point winner at the beginning of her career, the Presenting mare chased the leaders through this two and three quarter miler.

A 13/2 chance on this occasion, the eight-year-old led entering the straight. Ballybrowney Ella, a 101-rated performer was strongly pressed on the run-in but she kept on well to see off Midnight Theatre by three parts of a length.

"She wants a bit of better ground. I fancied her at Fairyhouse the last day but she didn't handle the ground at all. It was very deep," revealed Sweeney.

"Ambrose gave her a great ride, and she's a mare that will jump a fence. The owner Patrick Pyne, and his daughter Lisa who bred the mare, are neighbours of mine (near Kildinan, Co Cork)."

D.N. Russell, rider of Siberian Vixen trained by Edmond Kent, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran out with a circuit to go.

John O'Callaghan, trainer of Silent Wish reported to the Turf Club Veterinary Officer that his charge was found to have burst a blood vessel on endoscopic examination post race

(AM & EM)