Karalee starts to make up for lost time

Karalee made light of a near two-year absence when taking the Racing Again On April 22nd Mares Hurdle at Limerick.

The daughter of Martaline made an impressive Irish debut at Killarney back in 2015, and this performance was equally pleasing on the eye.

The 1/2 favourite, the only runner on the card for champion trainer Willie Mullins, made most of the running and was in command from two out.

Ruby Walsh had his only anxious moment when she pecked slightly at the last before coming home an effortless 15 lengths clear of Goulane Davina Polar Present was a further seven lengths away in third.

Walsh said, “She tanked along. She won on much better ground at Killarney, so you would hope she will be fine on much better ground than that.

"She’s not that big but can jump and should be good over a fence as well.”