Gerdalia a point-to-point winner at Ballynoe two years ago, opened her account under rules when taking the 2m3f mares maiden hurdle under Martin Ferris.

The seven-year-old daughter of Commander Collins, third to Rathlin at Gowran last Saturday, asserted after two out to beat the staying on favourite Shifa by seven lengths. Apalachicola put it up to the winner early in the straight but could find no more before the final flight, and eventually finished a further two and a half lengths away in third.

“She did it well and seems to have improved since running at Gowran last week. Its nice to win and she seemed to handle the heavy ground well. She'll come back here for a mares winners-of-one next month,” said trainer Sean Aherne.