First a Beauty for favourite backers

First Beauty showed good battling qualities to justify favouritism in the Oran Novice Hurdle at Roscommon for Dessie Hughes and Bryan Cooper.

The 6/4 shot chased the pace-setting Flamenco Prince led before the straight but was headed between the last two by Hepahepa Naeney However the victorious daughter of Norwich dug deep to lead again close home, prevailing by two lengths at the finish.

Cooper remarked: "When she jumped the last she got her second wind and went on again. She's a good filly and she is improving. She won snug enough at the finish."