Grey Waters (nearest) jumps the last just ahead of Masterstonemason© Photo Healy Racing
Grey Waters made it two from three over flights as she took the opener at Listowel, the Kerry Group 3yo Hurdle.
Without a win in ten starts on the level, the Joseph O'Brien trained grey filly was second on her debut over hurdles at Cork last month.
She got off the mark on her next start at Killarney, and proved easy to back today, opening on-course at 3s before going off a 7/2 chance (was as short as 2/1 in early shows).
Settled behind the leaders by Shane Shortall, she took closer order from four out. She improved to dispute the lead on the approach to the second last, and soon gained a narrow lead.
She was tackled by Masterstonemason on the approach the to last, and needed to be ridden out on the run-in to see off that rival by neck.
The runner-up was returned at 11/1 under Rachael Blackmore for Flan Costello, while 100/1 chance Randalls Ur Poet was another seven lengths back in third for Mark Bolger and Seamus Fahey. Minnie Dahill was sent off the 6/4 favourite, and she finished a disappointing fifth, with Ruby Walsh in the saddle for his father Ted.
The winning rider said afterwards: "She is very tough and my biggest issue was getting something to get me a tow into the home straight as she is a little bit idle in front.
"She kept finding and is a really tough and genuine filly. I spoke to Joseph (O'Brien) this morning we discussed ground issues and we thought she had one of the best chances as she had form on that ground on the flat.
"It is very testing out there and is very tough going but it suited her well."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards fined Andrew Slattery, trainer, E350 for lodging a passport in respect of Downtown Rebel (USA), in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
M.A. Enright, rider of Machine Head (USA) trained by Eugene M. O'Sullivan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a respiratory noise in-running.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
