Jelona lands dramatic mares maiden

Jelona landed the spoils after a dramatic finish to the opening Kilganey Mares Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel this afternoon. Hollow Moon looked set to collect in the two-mile-three contest after picking it up from long time leader Trevena after the second last.

She crashed out at the final flight, however, leaving Trevena with a narrow lead. The faller hampered those in behind and Jelona had to skip over her stricken rival.

Paddy Kennedy got a good tune from Jessica Harrington's charge on the run-in as she pipped 7/4 Trevena close home for a half length success.

The 13/2 winner had been placed in a bumper on her debut but was well beaten when fifth of six in a maiden hurdle at Downpatrick on her return last month.

Kennedy admitted:- "I was probably lucky at the last and she jumped the other horse. 

"If she had jumped well the whole way I would have won anyway but it has taken her a while to learn and she will improve again jumping-wise.

"She has a savage pedigree so to win is very valuable to the family."

Sadly Hollow Moon suffered a fatal injury when falling at the last.

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)