Party shows her true worth

"We fancied her. She's a nice filly. The first day she got very tired and was very green," revealed Leigh Roche after getting the Joe Higgins-owned Party Angel (10/1) home by a head from 6/4 shot, The Mouse Doctor in division two of the Big Bad Bob Maiden at Dundalk.

Strong 5/4 favourite Zilbiyr (finished off to a reasonable degree), and another one for money, Full Court Press (11/2 into 4/1 on track) had to settle for third and fourth places, but up front it was the Dermot Weld-trained Party Angel and The Mouse Doctor that dominated.

Party Angel had led on the rail under two furlongs out and she held on at the line from The Mouse Doctor (kept on well inside the final furlong).

"We were a little disappointed first time but today she put her head down and the run under her belt suited," further explained Roche.

"I got the box seat in second and everything worked out well. When she got to the front she thought she had enough done. There should be a bit of improvement and she's a grand filly."

The Stewards received a request from Ross O'Sullivan, trainer of Inner Knowing to substitute the nominated rider G.F. Carroll, with W.M.Lordon, due to the nominated rider being unable to make the weight. Evidence was heard from the trainer and from the nominated rider. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that G.F.Carroll was in breach of Rule 198, and having considered his record, issued a fine of €150.

(GC & EM)