The Eamoon Delany trained Scooping belied her 50/1 odds (paid 208/1 on the Tote) when winning the opening Value Cabs 3YO Hurdle at Down Royal today, scoring on her hurdle debut for jockey Conor Maxwell.

The daughter of Dylan Thomas had previously won twice on the flat but was unconsidered today against six previous hurdle winners. However Maxwell made virtually all and the pair battled gamely from the last to see off the challenge of Dai Bando

Trainer Eamonn Delany was represented by his son Alan who said: "we didn't think she was entitled to be 66/1. She's a half sister to Won In The Dark and is as tough as nails and gives you everything.

“She has jumped for fun since we schooled her in April and we'll look at the good hurdle races at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown now.

“She won on very soft in April but whether she'll go in real heavy we'll see. She is owned by a well-known Newry businessman Maurice McCavitt.”

Maxwell was recording his first win since last June and afterwards stated “she jumped super; she's only a small little filly but has loads of heart.”

Quotes from Michael Graham