Grade 3 win for smart Girl

On just her second start over hurdles Gambling Girl ran out an easy winner of the Grade 3 EBF Lough Construction Mares Novice Hurdle, scoring under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington.

The four-year-old daughter of Hawk Wing won her maiden with ease at Gowran early last month, and she was well-supported to follow-up this afternoon, going from 7/2 to her starting price of 11/4 on-course.

Settled in mid-division, the victorious chestnut took closer order from before the third last, coming with her challenge at the next.

She soon took over in front, and was clear approaching the final flight, and despite making a mistake there she recovered well, going on to score by eight lengths at the line.

The front-running Roja Dove ran a game race to finish second under Eddie O’Connell for Ken Condon at 10/1, while The Cookie Jar kept on well to snatch third, a further two and a quarter lengths back under Jody McGarvey for Colm Murphy at 25/1. Que Pasa was sent off the 9/4 favourite but she could only manage a disappointing fifth under Bryan Cooper for Harry Kelly.

Robbie Power said afterwards: "She could be very good, she could be anything. She would have won with her head in her chest but for the last. She is as good as any mare I’ve ridden."

Jessica Harrington added: "I think she could be special. She made a bad mistake and went away again. She went long at the last and when she recovered, she went away from the second.

"She did a couple of very good pieces of work and she is a big mare so she’ll only improve.

"The owners (River Racing Partnership) bred her so now she has got them blacktype."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham