Alan Magee
Mutiska records shock win for patient James
Mutiska (Sam James) goes clear to beat Little Green
© Photo Healy Racing
Mutiska benefitted from a patient ride by Sam James to ultimately take the mile and six furlongs handicap in good style at Ballinrobe.
Without a win in 22 previous outings on the Flat, the six-year-old mare was unsurprisingly sent off an unconsidered 14/1 chance but she belied those odds by moving stealthily through the field.
The writing was on the wall for long-time leader Little Green (11/4) as Eoin Doyle’s charge loomed alongside entering the straight, and she strode clear of that rival to score by three lengths.
The 5/2 favourite Munsaab was being driven along by Joseph O’Brien approaching the straight, and could only keep on one paced another three lengths further back in third.
The winning rider said afterwards, “She was a bit keen the last day so I got her to settle and I dropped her out completely.”
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy