Regina Dracones an in-form mare to note

An extended two miles seven furlongs clearly suits Regina Dracones very well as she followed up on her course and distance victory in December with another one today.

She got 9lbs for that six-length success before Christmas but it didn't prevent the well backed 5/2 favourite from going in again for Tom Gibney.

The six-year-old mare had Young Dev for company approaching two out with the pair nicely clear of the remainder.

She was going better than that rival, though, racing to the last and, despite fluffing it, was driven clear inside the final furlong to prevail by seven lengths.

Young Dev (14/1) tired on the run-in and clung on to second by a head from Grey Habit (33/1).

Jockey James O'Sullivan said: “I jumped off middling to handy but just going up the back the horses in front steadied it up and mine latched on to the bridle.

“I said I'd tip away in front rather than sitting in behind swinging out of her. She jumped the third last well and, from the second last, I was just inclined to keep something upsides me as long as I could.

“Going down to the last I felt I had loads of petrol left but she just started to idle and got in under it. In fairness to her she's game away from the back of it and went on away.”

The Stewards interviewed G.P. Brouder, rider of Grey Habit, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. In his evidence he stated that his mount was off the bridle most of the way and kept responding to his urgings. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that G.P. Brouder was in breach of R10(3)(g) by using his whip with excessive frequency. Having taken his previous record into consideration, the Stewards suspended G.P. Brouder for two race days.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson