Mahler Mare Battles For Maiden Hurdle Success

The Liam Burke owned and trained Trees Valley (7m Mahler - Valley, by Flemensfirth) dug deep to take the Mares Maiden Hurdle at Tramore on Friday evening.

Sent off joint-favourite under Donagh Meyler, she chased the leaders for much of the way and improved from three out to dispute the lead at the second last. Keeping on well under pressure, she led on the run in and kept on well to score by three parts of a length, as the front pair finished eight lengths clear of the third.

It marked a second career win for the Mahler mare, who won a mares maiden by 12 lengths at Lismore point-to-point in March. Bred by Bill Ronayne, she is a half-sister to useful chaser Major Malarkey.