Ask Susan breaks her maiden in the bumper Ask Susan gained a deserved win when taking the Ring In The New Year On Jan 1st At Tramore (Ladies Pro-Am) Flat Race in the hands of Laura Hourigan. The John Nicholson-trained filly had filled the runner-up spot on four of her previous seven outings in bumpers and maiden hurdles, and dug deep here to go one better. The 100/30 chance and Mr Showtime drew clear in the final furlong, with Hourigan’s mount just finding that bit more in the closing stages. Three quarters of a length separated the pair at the line, with a gap of nine lengths back to long-time leader Sticky Situation in third. Katie Walsh had to ride out with hands and heels after losing her whip on the runner-up over a furlong out. Nicholson said, "She started off here in the summer on good ground, we took a chance on running her, and then she was second in Galway. Then we ran her in the Listed race at Gowran and it was a rough race. "They went no gallop for her at Fairyhouse, and she was nearly put out through the rails at Cork. It was an eight runner bumper and she got into awful trouble. "After Cork I said we'd go over hurdles with her and then we met Willie twice, and he beat us twice. When he had no entry in the race today I thought we might win one! "Laura is good and tough and she gave her a right good ride. She is a right good mare and she is a half-sister to Three Swallowsnick. "There is no race for her over Christmas, so we'll give her a break and she'll go back over hurdles in the new year. She is deserving of her bumper win. I called her after my sister Susan and she is here today and all." (DM & AM)
