Della returns in style

She was easy in the market in comparison with her morning price but that didn't stop Della'alba defying a 326 day absence in good style in the opening www.tipperaryraces.ie Maiden.

Gary Carroll did the steering on the Namid filly in the Lady Clague silks and they looked good from a fair way out and eventually went on to account for Sovereign Secure by four and a half lengths. The well-backed favourite, Gala Spirit could only manage sixth place after racing on the stand's side.

Winning trainer Michael Halford said: "She done it really well considering that we thought she'd need it. She fractured a cannon-bone and took a long time to come right. Gary said she felt good and might come on a bit from it as she was having a good blow afterwards."