Rita Levi proving a force over a mile and a half

Rita Levi justified good support from 22/1 overnight into half those odds to take division two of the Dundalk Stadium Gift Vouchers Available Online Apprentice Handicap.

The John McConnell-trained mare just got the better of Shamiyan over the same mile and a half here last month and that form was given a timely boost just half-an-hour earlier as the runner-up took division one of this race.

Donagh O’Connor had the daughter of Kodiac prominent throughout and she asserted inside the final furlong to score by two-and-a-half lengths. Lady Of Luxury just held off Eagle Reel for the runner-up spot.

McConnell said, “I'm absolutely thrilled. It took me a while to work out that her trip is a mile-and-a-half but we got there in the end.

“That's two out of the last three with her now. She was unlucky the last day as she hit her head off the gate before she jumped out. Donagh said she nearly concussed herself and she still ran a nice race.

“I thought she had a good each-way shout here and told the lads that. They are good supporters and I'm delighted for them.

“She's able to go at that speed so easy in herself that she can kick off it. Hopefully the handicapper is not too hard on her.

“She loves it up here and is in a good place at the moment.”