Murphy off the mark with Alice

Donie Murphy, son of the recently deceased Jimmy, saddled his first winner a month after taking out a licence when Gentle Alice landed a gamble in style by eleven lengths in the Thurles Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Paul Townend 's mount, backed from 8/1 into 9/2 favouritism, led between the last two and she was soon clear on the way to an easy victory over Kempinski

Midleton-based Murphy said: "My father died five weeks ago so I have the licence a month. I only have a couple for the track and few point-to-pointers and my main job is working with Paul Cashman both with the racehorses and the stud.

"We knew she'd love the ground but she did run a bit flat the last day. She'd been going well at home lately though. Tim and Brian Richardson from Cork city own her."