Secret a winning spare for Walsh

Secret She Keeps was a winning spare ride for Mark Walsh, as she claimed the opener at Thurles, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase.

Successful on debut in a point-to-point at Castletown-Geoghegan when in the care of Rob James, she failed to score on her first four starts for Henry de Bromhead and Robcour.

Beaten by just a nose on her track debut over fences at Fairyhouse earlier this month, the Shirocco chestnut was expected to deliver this afternoon, going off the market leader at 8/15.

In front from flag fall, she was slow three out and was joined by Hope Des Blins Soon pushed along, she responded well to pressure and regained the lead just before the last, keeping on well to prevail by four-and-a-half lengths.

.Hope Des Blins (33/1) plugged on to take second under Michael O'Sullivan for John Ryan, while Red As Rust (20/1) was another nine lengths back in third.

"Mark was brilliant on her, unfortunately Rachael is out for a few days as she got hurt schooling. I'm delighted for Robcour and she is a lovely mare," de Bromhead said.

"She had won her point-to-point, got a bit lost over hurdles but Rob (Acheson, owner) was keen to go chasing and it was the right thing to do. She needs every inch of the distance, loves jumping fences and it was a good call by everyone."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes