Josephina asserted before the last to take the two mile mares' handicap hurdle in Tramore by three and a quarter lengths.

She arrived on the scene at the second last, full of running, and powered home from there at 7/2. Imperial Choice the 11/4 favourite, could make no impression in second. Ayr Of Elegance completed the placings a length and three quarters away in third at 7/1.

Trainer Tony Mullins said: "I was running her over a distance to give her a chance to get into it but it looks the wrong thing now. She carried him all the way today and he gave her a lovely ride on the outside and on the ground which wasn't cut-up.

"Sean (O'Keefe) rides well and won't have his 7lbs claim for long but hopefully we'll get another crack at it.

"I'm double delighted to win with her and she'll run back again in another handicap hurdle and we'll stick to two miles."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes