Red Pearl makes a great start

Keys Pride won no less than eight races for Tipperary trainer Stephen Ryan in the 'noughties.' It looks as though the Thurles operator has unearthed another smart mare in the shape of Red Pearl (33/1), victorious in the finale at Ballinrobe, under Ambrose McCurtin.

The daughter of Kayf Tara was making her debut in this extended two mile mares bumper, but she was 'street-wise' enough to make her way to the front two furlongs out, before going on to see off the strong finishing Poetic Lady by five lengths.

"She was working lovely at home. I have a horse rated 118 and she worked well with him the other morning. I said if she was in the first three or four I would be delighted," divulged Ryan.

"She has a lovely pedigree, she is a fine big mare and we had her good and fit. She probably will go over hurdles now as she would want a bit of goodish ground.

"We had her schooled over hurdles and we were betwixt and between which to do first. It worked out well. She was to go to Killarney but she was in season and Killarney turned out soft that evening so this was perfect for her."

(DM & EM)