Confidence in Ard Na Mara proves spot on

Ard Na Mara was rewarded for a decent runner-up finish at the Curragh last month with victory in the William Hill Irish EBF Med Auction Maiden at Punchestown.

That Curragh run was emphatically endorsed when the winner (Fighter) hacked up in the 'Petingo' at Leopardstown over Irish Champions Festival.

The Profitable filly raced prominently for Rory Cleary and came under the pump in third entering the straight.

She soon went after the leader Mythical Rock and took closer order on him a couple of furlongs from home.

She really found her stride in the closing stages as she took aim at that rival and stayed on to head him. She hit the line with half a length in hand to justify 7/2 favouritism.

Mythical Rock picked up a runner-up prize at a nicely-backed 4/1. Newcomer Molto Amichi made up a huge amount of ground to take third at 100/1.

Travelling Head Lad Ger Flynn said: “It's great for the filly, she was ultra consistent in her last two starts and it's great to get the win with her.

“James Dowling owns her along with the boss, he's a long serving member of the team and he's also an All-Ireland Under-21 medal winner with Kilkenny.

“The form has worked out really well from the last day and we were confident enough coming here.

“The ground suited her, she probably wants to go a little bit further but she still had the ability to win over a mile and one. Onwards and upwards.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson