Jockey Charlie O'Dwyer (red and white) avoids loose horses on Pearlofflorida© Photo Healy Racing
Sligo's Hazelwood Maiden Hurdle was confined to mares which hadn't been placed and victory went to Pearlofflorida (4/1), which was preceded by three loose horses and provided Altruistic with a first stud success.
The loose horses had exited at the first and galloped ahead of the field but winning jockey Charlie O'Dwyer avoided interference. He improved Pearlofflorida to lead at the second-last and while passing the line behind the loose ones, finished three lengths ahead of runner-up Another Bonnie
Purchased through Done Deal for just €800, Pearlofflorida was crediting her Rosshill Farm-based (in Galway) sire Altruistic with a first winner at stud, having attained a Group 1-placing for Johnny Murtagh before concluding his racing career with Tom Hogan.
Regarding the Liam Cusack-trained winner, O'Dwyer said "she won her point-to-point on nice ground and she'd gallop all day.
"Those loose horses can go anywhere and our lead horse was having a bit of a look a at hurdles too which wasn't a help. I was happy to pick it up at the second-last, or last hurdle really, and she was game and honest for me.
"Hopefully she can go on from here."
Quotes from Mark Nunan
