Kate Appleby Shoes got off the mark on her first start over fences, as she took the Limerick Racecourse Vets Mares Beginners Chase.

Having her first start since April, the Willie Mullins trained eight-year-old was sent off the 11/8 favourite with Danny Mullins in the saddle for owner Leo McArdle.

Settled in mid-division, she was slow over the opening four fences, and received reminders. She again wasn't fluent three out, but still improved to lead before the next.

She was left clear when nearest pursuer The Green Lady crashed out there, and she needed to be ridden out on the run-in to see off West Bridge by four lengths. Larkfield Lass was the only other finisher, all of eight-one lengths back in third.

The winning rider said afterwards: "A first run over fences you would excuse her the odd slow jump but she battled well and handles that ground. It's nice to get one.

"I had to get after her a bit early on but one like that can go through the season and have plenty of petrol left in the tank.

"It's fairly deep but it's well raceable and they do a job keeping racing going and that's what we want."

STEWARDS REPORTS

M.A. Enright, rider of Ask Susan trained by John W. Nicholson, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled on the ground.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Ask Susan trained by John W. Nicholson was found to have a wound on its right fore cannon bone post race.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee