Ainsi Va La Vie makes big impression

Ainsi Va La Vie absolutely routed her rivals in winning the mares' bumper hard held under Patrick Mullins.

The seven-year-old was making her racecourse debut and couldn't have been anymore impressive.

The 11/8 favourite made good headway into third approaching the straight to track the leaders. Osco Mosco and Sunrise Lady were battling away in the lead with a quarter of a mile to race as Ainsi Va La Vie, with Patrick Mullins motionless, eased past them on the outside a furlong and a half down.

She raced clear by the furlong pole and Mullins had an armchair ride as she sauntered home by 10 lengths.

Osco Mosco (5/2) got up for second from long-time leader Sunrise Lady (25/1).

Patrick Mullins said: "The owners deserve a lot of credit because they have her four years and we've always been telling them she's worth waiting for and has ability. It's great for her to go out and actually do it and she is a half-sister to Sous Les Cieux who was a very good horse we had.

"Fingers crossed she'll be alright in the morning and I imagine she's up to winning a winners' bumper and, being by Lavirco, will go on soft ground too.

"They'll have a lot of fun with her but she is quite delicate. She never had a big problem but had lots of little things and I think she could improve from that too."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes