Massey anticipating a big run as Shesafoxylady makes hurdle bow

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.

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 on Thursday 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. “

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. “We think she’ll be a bit fitter than she was on her last run here, so we’ll see how she goes.”

The feature event of the afternoon is the Grade Two Boylesports Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle and Dessie Hughes is hopeful Giantofaman can make his presence felt.

Hughes said: “I can see him running a good race. It might have been stamina that beat him the last day but more probably he was beaten by a better horse on the day.”