Araucaria was backed as if defeat was out of the question for the Bunclody Mares Hurdle and she justified her odds of 8/15 (from evens this morning) in style under Andrew McNamara at Wexford.

McNamara in the famous One Man and Azertyuiop silks of Miss Lisa Hales, led on the Accordion mare two out and she went away to easily prevail by six lengths from Model County Lass

Winning trainer John Kiely said: "I'm very happy with her and she is living up to what she promised last year. It was touch and go as to whether she'd run here and the owner was hoping to travel but didn't with the lack of rain.

"They did a very good job with the track here anyway. She'll go to Down Royal now for the mares Grade 3 hurdle (the race Premier Victory won last year)."