Winters on the mark with Biddy

Granny Biddy got off the mark on her thirteenth start, as she took the O'Neills Bar Handicap Hurdle under Barry John Foley for Mick Winters.

Fourth and fifth on her last two starts, the six-year-old daughter of Flemensfirth was sent off at 10/1 this evening, having opened at 8s on-course.

Settled behind the leaders she was fifth with a circuit to race. She was ridden and gained a narrow lead two out, keeping on well from there to score by a length and a half. Ali Bin Nayef finished second at 7/1 under Rachael Blackmore for John 'Shark' Hanlon, while Redmond Hall was half a length back in third for Ricky Doyle and Paul Nolan at 18/1. Milestone Prince was sent off the 3/1 favourite and he finished fourth for Paddy Kennedy and Michael McCullagh.

Winters said afterwards: "He is owned by Thomas McNulty who is a Mayo man. She had been hitting on the door a lot, the two mile five and the ease in the ground probably suited her.

"I'd say she was just coming season. She'll continue in these type of average races."