Santa Rossa looks smart in mares maiden

Santa Rossa and Manitopark Aa dominated the market for the Racing Again March 13 (Mares) Maiden Hurdle and it was the former that landed the spoils in some style at Navan.

The Dermot McLoughlin-trained mare, a dual bumper winner including at Grade 2 level, was certainly strongest of the market leaders despite being absent for over a year. She was sent off the 10/11 favourite, while Manitopark Aa drifted out from 4/6 to evens.

Robbie Power ’s mount took control when quickening up nicely on the approach to the last before keeping on strongly on the run-in to score by an impressive ten lengths. Cathmart Desjy kept on quite well to take the runner-up berth with Lady Heath a further two-and-three-quarter lengths adrift in third.

Manitopark Aa could find no extra after the penultimate flight and weakened to finish fourth.

McLoughlin said, "She's a good mare. It wasn't the plan to make the running but he said she didn't settle. That was my only worry, if she was fresh and well on her first run back.

“He said she gave him a good feel, travelled and quickened at the back of the last. She jumped well and she's a very nice mare.

“Her form was there in the book as she was a good bumper mare too.

“The owner will be hoping for black-type over hurdles now. She has it in bumpers but we'll be wanting to get it over hurdles as well.”

Paddy Power cut Santa Rossa into 14/1 (from 33/1) for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

(GC & AM)