'Motorbike' Fit For Function in full cry

Fit For Function cut down front-running Aspen Belle to take the spoils in Listowel's extended six furlong handicap.

Aspen Belle gave it a good go from the front under Killian Leonard and kept boxing on after turning for home.

However, Fit For Function (8/1) closed approaching the final furlong and motored past in the final 100 yards to win going away by a length and a quarter.

Aspen Belle (9/2) held on to second by a short head from fast-finishing Captain Power at 10/1.

Trainer Joseph Murphy said: "My horses are running well that have run. We started them a bit late breaking the ice this year as they were sick over the winter and we took our time.

"He loved the track and Gary (Carroll) said he turned the bend like a hare! He was like a motorbike going around and that stood to him and he came down in the ratings which helped as well.

"At his own level he is very good but like a moderate singer, if he goes up an octave he is in trouble. I just hope the handicapper won't give him a sore throat now!"

This was Fit For Function's third career victory and first since Dundalk in September 2016.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes