The Dot Love-trained Dawn Shadow struck a blow against the power-house stables when taking the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle at Thurles.

The daughter of King’s Theatre has progressed well since sent hurdling this season, and came here off the back of a Clonmel maiden win and a second last time in a Listed race at Punchestown.

Regular partner Rachael Blackmore produced the 6/1 chance (from 9’s) to head the front-running Lesley Dawn at the final flight, and she kept on really well on the run-in to beat that rival by four and a half lengths.

Odds-on punters knew they were in trouble when Paul Townend started pushing along Karalee entering the straight, and the 4/7 shot finished a further four and a half lengths back in third.

Love’s assistant Ciaran Murphy said, "We're thrilled with that and like we said to Sean (Reilly, owner), she is improving all the time and we could see she improved again from her last run.

"She is a very nice mare and two miles is as short as she wants and would definitely want further. To do that over two miles here, we're pleased with that.

"Her form in all her bumpers has all worked out really well and she is very consistent. She is out of a full sister to Shadow Eile and is not as quick but is a different type as she is more of a chaser.

"We have one target with her at Cheltenham next March, in the Mares' Novice. We'll give her plenty of experience before that and she won't run much after Christmas. There's a Grade 3 at Leopardstown over Christmas and there's also a mares' novice here on December 17 over two miles, so either of those races would be the plan."

(TW & AM)