Vintage Salon takes well to hurdling

Vintage Salon strode home to the cheers of the bookmakers as she landed the opener in Roscommon at 33/1.

The five-year-old daughter of King's Theatre tracked Kalopsia before leading narrowly after the second last.

She jumped the last really well and landed full of running to put Kalopsia (5/2) away by six and a half lengths, with Mark Enright in the saddle. Echo Lady at 66/1 kept on for third. She was eight lengths adrift of the runner-up. Leader's Choice was backed down to 9/4 favourite but finished fourth.

Vintage Salon had been unplaced in four bumpers with a best finish of sixth in Limerick beaten over 22 lengths.

Trainer James Nash said: "I ran her in four bumpers just because of her pedigree but she was just so disappointing.

"She has always worked like that (win) but possibly needed something to jump.

"Mark gave her a great, cheery ride for a mare having her first run over hurdles and we're delighted.

"Hopefully she can improve now - normally when they win first-time over hurdles it's a great sign but we'll keep her low-key next time."

The National Hunt jockeys at Roscommon are wearing black armbands this evening in memory of Liam Healy, following on from the flat riders yesterday. Racing photographer Liam Healy Snr passed away on Monday.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes