Markievicz finally gets to show her worth

Markievicz opened her account at the 18th attempt when beating 29 rivals in the concluding cavalry charge at the Curragh, the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap.

The Sheila Lavery-trained filly has shown promise on a number of occasions including when third in another big field handicap over course and distance in April.

Rory Cleary switched right on the four-year-old two furlongs out and she quickened up well between horses to lead early in the final furlong.

The well-backed 11/2 chance, available at 14/1 overnight, kept on well to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths from Gordon Bennett and Cailin Cliste who dead-heated for second. Andromedas Kingdom completed the places just a head further back in fourth.

Lavery said, “I'm absolutely chuffed for the filly because she's so genuine and has had no luck and terrible draws.

“She is what she is but that's brilliant because she's the first winner out of Viztoria (won five times including at Group 2 level).

“We'll see what the handicapper does. Now that she's found her feet I hope she might be one that could win a few on the trot, it's just finding the opportunities for her.

“I'm ecstatic that Viztoria has had her first winner and now hopefully they'll just keep rolling.

“You have to drop her in and ride her for luck and Rory gave her a beautiful ride.

“He saw that he wasn't going to get the splits on the rail so he moved out and I loved the way she came home.

“She had the gears and he said she did everything perfectly.”

Quotes by Gary Carson