Shane Fitzgerald landed his second winner of the season and his twelfth in all when bringing Husdale with a well timed run to win the second division of the INH Stallion Owners Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel this afternoon.
The 7/1 chance flew from the last to pip Duvane Pride and will have a few more runs over hurldes before going chasing.
Trainer Jimmy Murphy said,'That was only her second run over hurdles and we were far from sure how she would handle the ground.'
Keith Hadnett had earlier won the opening division of the same race on Cumeen, which came from well off the pace to win for trainer John Murphy.
Barry Geraghty and Noel Meade combined to land the first division of the 2m4f Maiden Hurdle with the gambled-on Sigma Dotcomm.
The 4/6 favourite (from evens) appeared to come under pressure on the downhill run to the straight, but in the end proved good enough to beat his market rival Island Song by 3 1/2 lengths.
The Ladies Handicap Hurdle went to Garvivonian, the 7/1 chance trained by Ned Mitchell and partnered by Kathleen Walsh while Great Melody just held on under Neill Mulholland in the Killenaule Handicap Hurdle.
In contrast to some of the earlier winners, New Project and John Cullen made every yard of the running to win the 2m4f Maiden Hurdle (Div 2) for trainer Paul Nolan.
David Casey was stood down until Saturday when he suffered a minor concussion and a suspected fracture to his nose when his mount Keepatem was brought down in this race.
