A lovely leap at the last from Trees Valley under Donagh Meyler© Photo Healy Racing
Out of a half-sister to a very good horse in Valley Henry, Trees Valley enhanced her paddock value with a second win in three days with another Tramore success in the Frank Gillane Handicap Hurdle.
Again with Donagh Meyler filling in for Robbie Power, very sore after a nasty fall here on Friday evening, the successful Mahler mare made it look simple enough from the front.
Bred by the late Bill Ronayne but now owned and trained by Liam Burke, Lismore point-to-point scorer Trees Valley had no problem back at two miles, after triumphing over two and a half on Friday evening.
A huge market move on Mig Des Taillons saw the place part of any each-way bets landed, as the eventual 9/4 favourite came through for the second, ten lengths off the winner.
He got a completely different ride than Trees Valley, from off the pace, and a mare-in-form like the victor was always going to be difficult to deal with once getting into a rhythm up front.
"She is better in front. I didn't get much time to talk to Donagh the last day. I kind of wanted him to make it on Friday but he felt they were going fast enough. He just didn't know her then really. She jumps better in front and even at home she is way happier in front,” said Burke.
"The last day she was leaning a bit in behind but when she is in front she is way happier. She was way more impressive there. Hopefully she will improve away.
"I still thought the two miles today might have been a bit too sharp for her. She'll win a chase somewhere too.
"I actually had her half-sister (Twin Plan), she was average for a while as well but ended up winning six. She is related to Valley Henry too, it's a good pedigree. She always had ability but we just weren't getting it right with her.
"She is in again at Sligo on Wednesday and I'll see what the handicapper does tomorrow before making a decision on that."
(DM & EM)
