Mulligan enjoys biggest win to date on Blanche in Cork Derby

Young apprentice Rory Mulligan enjoyed his biggest day in the saddle thus far when guiding 12/1 outsider La Dame Blanche to a narrow win in the Cork Derby(Premier Handicap).

Trained in County Westmeath by Willie Ross, the five-year-old mare looked to have a tough task as she was racing from 12lb out of the handicap.

However, with her jockey able to claim 7lb that meant the daughter of Fast Company only had to carry an additional 5lb.

In the front rank throughout, Mulligan was pushing along early in the straight, as Zoffman headed Take Heart over a furlong from the finish.

That latter pair looked to have the race between them inside the last 200 yards but La Dame Blanche stayed on dourly to edge ahead close home for a head win over Zoffman.

Winning owner Dermot Kilmartin said: "I knew she'd come on from last Saturday's run which was her first run of the season and we took a punt by running her from out of the handicap. The extra two furlongs suited, she settled great and the young lad gave her a super ride. Including Rory's 7lb claim, she was only 5lb out of the handicap.

"William took back out the licence a couple of weeks ago, we have been together with pre-trainers for a while and I'm delighted for him too."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.