Ruby shines brightest in Tramore opener

The Declan Queally trained Churchtown Ruby (5/2) took the opener at Tramore this afternoon, the Visit West Waterford Maiden Hurdle.

Never far off the pace, the Califet bay improved to lead with a circuit to race and took a chance at the third last, doing well to survive.

Again not fluent over the last two, she kept on well under pressure on the run-in, coming home a length-and-a-quarter to the good. Tudor Manor (3/1 from early shows of 9/2) ran on well to take second under Gary Noonan for Pat Flynn, while Freddie Robdal returned the 2/1 favourite, was another three lengths back in third.

Queally said in the aftermath: "Unfortunately, her owner Jimmy Gordon wasn't well enough to come. He is an elderly man and this will be a great tonic for him. He has had some good horses in the past and it's mighty to get this.

"It was a nice easy race."

The winner went down by just three-parts of a length on her only previous try over flights and was third in a bumper at Thurles on her penultimate start.