Lady dances to Geraghty’s tune

JACKSONSLADY, trained and partly-owned by Philip Dempsey, proved best in the listed Grabel Mares Hurdle on the opening day of Punchestown’s winter season.

Ridden by Barry Geraghty, the six-year-old wore down longtime leader and 25/1 shot Bleakfeld on the approach to the final flight before drawing clear to triumph by six lengths, with Elyaadi third.

Short-priced favourite Chaperoned dropped away tamely to finish a distant sixth while Shadow Eile, second choice in then market, faded quickly going to the second last and was pulled up.