Hell Cat Maggie in terrific form

Hell Cat Maggie brought up her treble in great style with a comprehensive five and a half length victory in the mares handicap hurdle at Listowel.

Barry Geraghty brought her through to join Ballychorus at the second last. However, she quickly showed her superiority as she powered away from that rival on the run to the final hurdle. She stayed on strongly to the cheers of favourite backers who had taken the 3/1 on offer.

Ballychorus, who was in the front rank throughout, kept on at the same pace for second at 4/1. It was another three and a half lengths back to Dashing Lady in third at 10/1.

Edward O’Grady said: “It’s lovely to have a three-time winner. We were going to go jumping fences, but we’ll delay a little while. Ground seems important to her and she goes well on this ground.

“She’s a very good jumper and Barry said he couldn’t believe the leap she gave him at the second last.”

Hell Cat Maggie won this off a mark of 112. She got a 5lb hike for winning at Roscommon in August. Her winning run started in a maiden hurdle at Clonmel in June. All three wins came with a hood fitted.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes