Atavique overcomes traffic to land Ulster Oaks

Atavique got on top close home to land the Boylesports Irish EBF Ulster Oaks at Down Royal for Tom Gibney.

The daughter of Dubawi had won for connections at Fairyhouse last month and went in again after overcoming traffic problems in the ten furlong contest.

Siobhan Rutledge had a wall of horses in front of her two furlongs from home but angled out after the road and got on terms with front-runner Corky inside the final furlong.

Atavique asserted close home to record a half length win at odds of 11/2.

Gibney said: "I had the race written off with about two furlongs to go as it didn't go according to plan.

“She didn't jump well and they went slow. We had been riding her handy away which seemed to suit. She's just a good mare and she got the gap and she was able to take it.

"We left Sligo that day saying that's a Listed horse (Rosscarbery) that beat us, and she has gone on to be a Group horse.

“She has improved a tonne as we can all see, and you are just praying that your horse has improved a bit with her. To be fair to her, she has.

"That's what we are trying to do, get horses like that and we can do something with them if we can get them.

"Like I say, there was nowhere to go and then, when it opened, I wondered was she going to be able to take it and she was able to.

"There is actually a race in Galway for her, one of the handicaps down there. We only have until either the first or second week in August (as she's in foal)."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)