Massey hoping for big run from Foxy

Connections of Shesafoxylady are confident the three-time bumper winner can make a successful start to her jumping career in the Killinan Maiden Hurdle at Thurles today.

Placed on her first two starts in National Hunt Flat races at Galway, the Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old made it third-time lucky with a runaway victory at Punchestown in mid-October.

She was given the race in the stewards’ room at the same track a couple of weeks later before completing her hat-trick in Listed company at Navan.

Shesafoxylady makes her first appearance in over three months against 10 rivals, nine of those geldings, and Supreme Racing Club manager Steve Massey is anticipating a big run.

Massey said: “I think Foxy should be hard to beat.

“She’s won three bumpers and she’s in good form.

“You never know what can happen in maiden hurdles, but she jumps pretty well at home and we’re looking forward to getting her started.

“She doesn’t get the mares’ allowance as she’s won a race and she has to give weight away to all of the others apart from one, but she should be good enough.”

The successful syndicate is also represented earlier on the card, with Chiltern Hills lining up in the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares Beginners Chase.

The seven-year-old has been pulled up on two of her three starts over fences and was a well beaten sixth at Thurles at the end of January.

“She ran a bit better last time, but it all depends which Chiltern Hills turns up,” said Massey.