Chestnut Brave is indeed a brave chestnut and the Shay Barry trained mare gained a deserved maiden success in the opening [email protected] (Mares) Maiden Hurdle at Wexford today, scoring under jockey Brian O’Conell.

The daughter of Dubai Destination was made work by eventual runner-up Gracemount in the home straight and in the end stayed on gamely for a three lengths win.

Afterwards Barry stated “she is a tough auld devil and she deserved that.

“She wouldn't be the quickest, but she is all heart and Brian gave her a great ride; I said to him if you can try and stretch the favourite (Gracemount) from the third last, and then hopefully she'll wing the last few.

“All she does is gallop and stay going and she'll get further too. She will tip away for the summer, she likes that goodish ground and she'll probably go for a handicap next so hopefully Noel (O'Brien) won't be too hard on her."

“I’m delighted for her owners Joe and Hannah (Lee) who are in Portugal at the moment.”

Chestnut Brave had previously finished placed on four of her seven racecourse outings.

Quotes from Donal Murphy