Miss Palm gives superb exhibition of jumping to take Gain Mares Final

The Gain Mares’ Final as always occupied centre stage at yesterday’s well-attended Ballynoe point-to-point fixture and, on an afternoon that saw pristine ground conditions thanks to the track having been spiked and watered in the week preceding the meeting, the featured event was won by Daryl Deacon’s Co Wexford challenger Miss Palm.

A comprehensive winner of a Dungarvan mares’ maiden on her return to points duty at Dungarvan in late-January, the grey Miss Palm (11/4) gave an exhibition of fencing in front with her talented 21-year-old partner Michael Roche.

The victorious eight-year-old made all the running, and it was plainly apparent from two out that she was containing the patiently ridden runner-up Carrig’N May with six lengths duly separating the pair. Vickys Lass secured the minor honours, a further four lengths adrift.