Persistence Pays Off for Caola Mann

Caola Mann won a Ballysteen point-to-point in April 2006 but she had been without success since until shedding her maiden tag under Rules as an eight-year-old (17th start on the racecourse) in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Favourite backers were in trouble after even money shot, Galant Ferns made a bad mistake four out. Leading after the next under Alain Cawley, Caola Mann in the end saw off Kind Oscar by a length.

Winning trainer, Eric McNamara said: "She has had a bit of leg trouble before but she was placed a number of times. She came here fit and well today and had her chance. We'll find a three mile handicap hurdle for her as all she does is stay and she couldn't have the ground soft enough." (EM)