Staying trips suit Gradulations very well

Gradulations kicked right away from her rivals to stamp her authority on the extended mile and a-half fillies' handicap in Down Royal.

The 3/1 chance took over approaching the final quarter of a mile and powered clear on the run to the final furlong.

She won as she pleased by two and a-half lengths from 2/1 favourite White Caviar

Trainer Andy Oliver said: "She was a filly we were looking forward to last year. She won her maiden well in Sligo and then she lost her way.

"She was a big filly and we actually couldn't find anything (wrong), so we just gave her time and she has come back this year and she has really got on the front foot again.

"We stepped her up the last time and ran her over a couple of furlongs further and realised she stayed. We stepped her up to a mile and a-half and that was an extended mile and a-half and she just skipped away.

"She likes a nice bit of ground but she seems pretty versatile. It looked like she would get further and Gary (Carroll, jockey) said that. Stepping up in trip has been the key.

"She is a filly in good form and she is in a sweet spot and she is improving."