Cotton Jenny ran out a wide margin winner of the opening mares maiden hurdle at Cork this afternoon. Miss Benefitz blazed a trail in the two-miler with the field well strung out behind her.

The front-runner was claimed by Cotton Jenny at the third last, however, and the 14/1 shot went clear under Benny Walsh after the penultimate flight.

Brian Jordan 's charge galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a 15-length victory over Petuna Island Remede sent off the 13/8 favourite, was never involved in seventh.

The winner had chased home More Than Ever on her previous outing at Tramore.

Owner/breeder Billy Bates said afterwards: "She ran well at Tramore the last day but that is a bit of a surprise. She didn't handle the soft ground at Leopardstown over Christmas.

"We'll see what Brian wants to do but she may go over for the summer to Evan Williams who has done well for us before.

"She ran in a point-to-point and won't have any problem going chasing."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)