Power Roche off the mark in conditional ranks

Miss Lia (9/2) claimed the Majestic Hotel Mares Maiden Hurdle under Tiernan Power Roche to give trainer Philip Rothwell a third winner in eight days.

The daughter of Califet, owned by David L'Estrange, had shown ability in a couple of bumpers before finishing mid-field in her first hurdles outing at Kilbeggan.

She made steady headway from mid-division to lead at the second-last and stayed on well to account for Mazza's Mahler by four lengths.

Rothwell said: "That's Tiernan's first winner as a fully-fledged conditional. I asked him to come work for me a couple of months ago and he said he would at the end of the point-to-point season. He is a very nice guy and has so much experience over hurdles and fences.  

"We'd a lot of handicap winners last season and I felt that unless I got somebody with a bit of experience and with a claim, that I was going to struggle big time. I'm really lucky that I have Tiernan and Conor (Owens). Conor is flying but wouldn't have the experience of Tiernan to ride over a fence yet. I think between the two of them I have a very good team of claimers and I'd be hoping that one will grow with the other. They are a big asset to me. 

"This is David's first horse with me. He is an amazing owner and huge supporter of Irish jumps racing, he puts a huge amount in. It's great to have a winner in his colours and I'm really pleased.  

"She had the form to win it, we fancied her and she got it done." 

Quotes from Donal Murphy