Expressova springs 50/1 surprise on handicap debut

Sent off the outsider of the field, Expressova finished with a flourish to claim the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.

A E130,000 yearling purchase, the Sheila Lavery trained three-year-old finished last of 19 on her most recent start in the 2022 running of the Goffs Million at the Curragh.

Making her handicap debut this afternoon and fitted with a tongue-strap for the first time, the Exceed And Excel bay was returned a friendless 50/1 chance (from 14s early).

Settled in mid-division by Robbie Colgan, she picked up well when ridden from the furlong pole, sweeping to the front inside the final 100 yards, going on to score by a length-and-three-parts.

In first time cheekpieces, Coumshingaun (5/1 from 9s) filled the runner-up spot under Calum Hogan for Kevin Coleman, while top-weight Screen Siren (6/1) was another three-parts of a length back in third.

Returned the 10/3 favourite (from 9/2), Iva Batt came from off the pace to finish a never nearer fifth.

"We thought she was a nice two-year-old and while she ran well the first day, she never progressed. We thought she would have turned into a nicer horse but has been off for over a year," Colgan commented.

"I'm not sure what happened but I only saw her a few weeks ago when I sat on her and she felt great. She was in a great place and was ready to go.

"She was a big and tall two-year-old. She still has to fill out a bit and seemed to go through that ground well."

STEWARDS REPORTS

L.T. McAteer, rider of Freedom Falls trained by Jack W. Davison, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was tight for room leaving the stalls. Having reviewed the video evidence, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.

C.J. MacRedmond, rider of Daisy Jones trained by Takashi Kodama, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount jumped left leaving the stalls.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes