Sister Rosetta proved very tough to cling on and lands the spoils in the fillies handicap at Naas for trainer James McAuley.

Gary Carroll elected to stay on the far rail on the 12/1 shot and that decision paid off in the €20,000 contest. Princess Sela threw down a strong challenge in the closing stages and pushed the winner to a short-head at the line.

“She was good and hardy. When I saw Gary heading over to the other side I said “where's he going?' said McAuley.

“He did his homework and said there was virgin ground over there and that's where he headed over.

“He's won three on her now and definitely has the key because a few lads have had goes on her, she's ran plenty.

“She's gotten really consistent now. When we got her off Ger Lyons his brother Shane was adamant once we got her wind done and she got a bit of confidence she'd be grand.

“When we got her wind done there was no improvement for a while but it was just a case she just needed to get confidence and realise she couldn't flip her palate.

“She's paid for herself now.”