Improving Nines causes upset

The market suggested the Clonmel Festival Week Mares Novice Hurdle would be a match between 11/10 joint favourites Noras Fancy and Is Herself About but nothing could have been further from the truth as Dressedtothenines scored in decisive fashion.

The unconsidered 14/1 chance arrived full of running to lead before the second last, at which point Is Herself About was under pressure and about two lengths down when falling.

Niall Madden’s mount, far from disgraced on her debut behind Joxer at Punchestown last month, quickened away in front to settle the issue before the last and record a six lengths verdict over Noras Fancy. Saddlenomore cut out most of the running but could find no extra in the straight finishing a further six lengths away in third.

Winning trainer Eddie Harty said, “She obviously learned a lot from her first run, and she was very green at Punchestown.

“We knew she was okay, and she came on from it. We’ve no real plans and we’ll probably go for a similar mares race.”