Even money favourite Let Her Cry benefitted from a lovely patient steer from Brian O'Connell to land the opening Connacht Telegraph (Mares) Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

The Westerner mare made her ground from the back going across the far side for the final time, in extended two mile one event and got the better of Isnt Dat Right from before the last to triumph by four and a quarter lengths.

Winning trainer Shay Barry said afterwards: "With the mark the handicapper gave her she was entitled to go and win here.

"She is a grand, tough mare. She's just a bit hard on herself so that's why we dropped her in today. Really she probably wants two and a half.

"The penny is beginning to drop with her now, Brian said she was more relaxed today. She will keep going now."

The Stewards received a report from Mr. P.W. Murtagh , Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, under Rule 231 regarding the fact that A. McCurtin , rider of Robyns Approach , weighed in at 1.6 lbs overweight.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who accepted that he had weighed in heavy but stated that he had noticed when mounting that a heavier girth than the one he had weighed out with had been used and that this may have accounted for the increased weight on weighing-in.

Further evidence was heard from Mr. James Ivors, authorised representative for Michael J. McDonagh, trainer, who accepted that he had used a heavier girth (unknownst to the rider) than the girth that had been weighed out with as the original girth was too small for the mare.

He agreed he was in breach of Rule 198 (vi) and apologised for the oversight. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards accepted the rider's explanation with regard to him weighing in 1.6lbs heavy but found Michael J McDonagh (through his representative) to be in breach of Rule 198 (vi) and fined him €250.

(DM & EM)