Raven Rule makes most after first hurdle pile-up

Raven Rule took full advantage of a pile-up at the first hurdle to take the Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Mares Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown.

The 6/4 favourite Mind Your Money fell at the first and four other horses were either brought down or parted company with their riders at the same flight.

The remaining 15 runners were soon well stretched out with Raven Rule making virtually all in this two miles event.

The Liam Burke-trained daughter of Court Cave, winner of a Tramore bumper last year and runner-up on her hurdle debut at Clonmel earlier this month, kept on strongly in the straight where the last flight was omitted due to the earlier incident.

Donagh Meyler ’s mount drew clear to beat Highstreet Roller by 12 lengths, with Karla Martina another 16 lengths adrift in third.

Meyler said of the 4/1 winner, “She galloped and stays well, and is a nice filly going forward. She’s learning the whole time and hopefully she can go on again from that.”

Rachael Blackmore was stood down for the remainder of the afternoon, while Paddy Kennedy was taken to hospital with a suspected jaw fracture.