Parramatta sends favourite backers home happy

Having opened at 7/1 this morning with Paddy Powers, Parramatta was well supported and returned the 4/1 favourite as she ran out a convincing winner of the last at Ballinrobe this evening, the Ballinrobe GAA Club 125th Anniversary Mares Bumper.

Ridden by Mark Fahey and trained by Jessica Harrington, the grey 4yo daughter of Aussie Rules was having her third career start this evening.

She made her debut at Leopardstown in January where she ran a decent race to finish fifth behind stable mate Jezki on yielding ground.

Last time out she finished sixth behind Ballinlough Lady at Wexford on St Patrick’s Day on yielding to soft ground.

Having her first start on good (good to firm, good in places) ground this evening she chased the leaders early on before closing up from five furlongs out.

She hit the front approaching the two furlong pole before being ridden clear with a furlong left to race and staying on well from there to score by a comfortable two and three parts of a length. Dani Catalonia ran on well without troubling the winner to take second for Willie & Patrick Mullins at 6/1 while Midsummer Drama was a further half a length back in third under James 'Corky' Carroll for Eugene O’Sullivan at 7/1.

Winning rider Mark Fahey said afterwards: "That's her first time getting better ground. She has plenty of boot and hopefully she will go for a winners bumper next!"

The winner is owned by Mark Gittins who has had plenty of success in the past with such horses as Lancetto and Big Robert.

Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes