Sapphire a Good Starter for Kilbeggan Punters Moonlight Sapphire (backed from bits of 7/4 into even favourite) justified the confidence of her backers to lose her maiden tag at the eleventh attempt in the Kilbeggan Maiden Hurdle under Sean McDermott. Very few got into this two-miler and the market-leader headed My Boy Ceejay two out and stayed on best in the straight to prevail by fifteen lengths. Winning trainer John O'Shea said: "She did it well. She carries her head a little high but is not un-genuine. She is rated 68 on the flat and she could go back for a staying handicap." (EM)
