Favourite Kala Brandy ran out a smooth winner of the opening Ladies Free Admission (Mares) Maiden Hurdle for the father and son combination of Tim and Paul Townend (only ride of the day) at Clonmel.

Always nicely positioned, just behind the pace on the inner, the daughter of Kalanisi was pulled out to lead before two out and she ultimately comfortably accounted for Kris Kindle by three and a half lengths.

"Better ground probably suited her, they have a good job done on it, it probably wanted the drop of water they put on it," reported the younger Townend.

"She won well at Wexford (a bumper), she promised a nice run, and she's done it nicely.

"She probably prefers that bit of nicer ground. We don't want to run her on proper quick ground. Ground dependent, if it's safe, I'd say she'll be kept going."

For his part Tim Townend quipped: "We had Ruby on standby (this was Paul Townend's first ride back since a fall at Limerick on Sunday) - if you can't get the best, get the second best!"

He added: "Paul said all she does is stay and she'll go out in a field if the ground gets harder.

"She has a lovely pedigree and is related to Oscar Whisky, that's how she got her name." (TW & EM)