Daughter Of Yeats Produces Taking Display Over Fences

A drop back in trip saw Countess Cathleen (9m Yeats - Afasheen, by Presenting) gain her maiden chase success on just the second time of asking at Fairyhouse on Tuesday.

Owned and trained by Denis Hickey, the bay finished a promising sixth to Grade 1 winner Bapaume on her chase debut last month, which brought plenty of market support on her return to two miles on heavy ground. Ridden in mid-division by Sean O’Keeffe, she improved with three fences left to jump and made good headway to lead approaching the second last. Driven clear on the run-in, she was eased down to win the 150th Irish Grand National Beginners Chase by four lengths and three quarters.

Previously a winner over hurdles and placed in a bumper, Countess Cathleen was bred by Philip and Mrs Jane Myerscough out of Grade 3 placed hurdler Afasheen.