Princess Leya enjoys herself in Limerick

Princess Leya made every yard in the two mile maiden hurdle to get favourite backers off to a good start in Limerick.

Despite a mistake at the fifth last flight the five-year-old mare kept up the gallop and won by a length and a quarter from Ningbo Express to land the odds of 7/2.

The latter closed into second, but could make no further headway after making a mistake at the final hurdle. She went down by a length and a quarter at odds of 8/1. Shalamzar finished third at 7/1. He was beaten five lengths by the winner.

Successful trainer Mags Mullins said: “I’m delighted with her. That’s her hurdle and bumper won now. The better ground made a difference and it seems to be the key to her. We’ll aim her towards black-type.”

Princess Leya won her bumper in Cork last November.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes