Progressive Araucaria can deliver

ARAUCARIA can land a fascinating Grade 3 EBF Lough Construction Ltd Mares’ Novice Hurdle at Down Royal today.

John Kiely’s very smart bumper horse, she scrambled to victory on her debut over flights at Navan, after getting far from a clear run in the closing stages.

Araucaria improved plenty on that effort next time at Wexford, skipping ahead over two out and steadily drawing clear to beat subsequent winner, Model County Lass, by six lengths.