Tramore review: Willie Mullins unveils latest star mare in Camelia De Cotte

News from Thursday's card at Tramore, where Camelia De Cotte entered Cheltenham Festival calculations.

Camelia De Cotte entered Cheltenham Festival calculations with a most impressive Irish debut in the opening race of the afternoon at Tramore.

Third on her only previous start over hurdles in France, the Willie Mullins-trained mare was a prohibitively-priced 1/5 favourite for the Online Tickets From www.tramore-racecourse.com Mares Maiden Hurdle and those who took the cramped odds will have had few concerns throughout the two-mile contest.

Ruby Walsh positioned the market leader close to the pace from the off and after giving his mount her head before the second flight from the finish, Camelia De Cotte readily pulled clear to score by 15 lengths with the minimum of fuss.

Mick Winters was responsible for the second and third, with runner-up Blazes Peg a long way clear of her stable companion Leila's Island.

Walsh said: "She was a little bit keen at home, so we didn't know how she'd handle the track, but she settled relatively well and jumped super.

"It wasn't the strongest race on paper, but I'd say it was a good performance  Not many take that much pulling up at Tramore on quick ground, let alone soft ground. She did that nicely and I'm sure Willie will be happy."

Sky Bet cut Camelia De Cotte to 7/1 Trull House Stud Mares Novices' Hurdle at Prestbury Park next March.

"An impressive start, make no mistake, but those above her in the market are there because they've showcased stronger form so far," said racing PR manager Michael Shinners. "Still, those famed Ricci silks and a performance like that mean she's a mare we'll probably be looking to keep on-side."

Boylesports make the four-year-old their 5/1 second-favourite behind Royal Bond-winning stable companion Airlie Beach, with Augusta Kate, Asthuria and Let's Dance also prominent in a market dominated by Ireland's champion trainer.

Mullins was out of luck in the www.tramore-racecourse.com Handicap Hurdle as 11/8 favourite Roumanian was a well-held 10th behind Ardera Cross (10/1), who got up close home to land a winner for local trainer Eoin Doyle, ending a losing run stretching back four months.

Doyle said: "That was badly wanted. He ran well the last day and Brian just said he never travelled around here, but he just stuck it out well in the end. He wouldn't be in love that real deep ground.

"He is still very green, I think he is a horse that will improve a bit in the spring time. We might leave him alone now for a while to fill his frame."

Doyle's well-backed favourite in the 2017 Tramore Annual Badge - Great Gift For Christmas Maiden Hurdle could finish only fourth behind Brave Out (13/2), who appeared to relish a step up in trip to get off the mark at the third time of asking.

The trainer would soon secure a double, however, when Sea Scorpion (7/2 favourite) landed a few bets in the Waterford & Tramore Supporters Club Handicap Hurdle.

The five-year-old appeared booked for a place until unseating his rider over a similar trip at Listowel last time, but made no mistake under a positive ride to score with something in hand.

Doyle said: "Soft ground, near bottom weight, it's not rocket science! I thought he'd have nearly won the last day in Limerick. He hit this little flat spot, and then he'll find off it.

"It was great, it wasn't a strong race, so it was there to run well in with his weight and all the rain. He'll pop out again over Christmas, he is hardy."

Mark Walsh got The Living Beauty (5/1) up close home to win the Waterford & Tramore Racecourse 2016 Recognition Award Beginners Chase, denying Cahirconree by a short head in the finish of the day.

Fluspar (2/1 favourite) was a convincing seven-length winner of the Waterford & Tramore Directors Handicap Chase, his first victory at the 23rd attempt, before four-year-old Ask Susan (100/30) landed the Ring In The New Year On Jan 1st At Tramore (Ladies Pro/Am) Flat Race.