Katie lands the odds after 1st fence melee

Our Katie avoided a dramatic incident at the first fence before going on to justify odds-on support in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase at Thurles.

Four of the 11 runners exited at the first fence with Vole Au Vent and Blodge falling independently, while The Tinker Molly and County Champions were brought down in the melee.

Brian Hayes produced Our Katie to lead approaching the final fence, and the 4/5 favourite kept on well on the run-in to beat Carrigeen Kigelia by a comfortable three and a quarter lengths. Triplets Joy was up with the pace throughout and finished a further half-length back in third.

Our Katie won twice in point-to-points, and was recording her fourth success under rules having filled the runner-up spot behind Vroom Vroom Mag in a Grade 3 at Cork last time.

Winning trainer Garrett Ahern said, "She had a slight setback over Christmas and today was the obvious place to come.

"She wants better ground and, depending on how the handicapper reacts, we might think about a handicap next although I've no real plans."

(TW & AM)