The World Citizen ticks off Ballinrobe

The seven-year-old mare World Citizen makes a habit of popping up at big odds and she did it again when outbattling Go Paddy Go in Ballinrobe.

She tanked into contention and could be called the winner a long way out as every one of her rivals came off the bridle. However, getting her head past Go Paddy Go proved more troublesome than viewers would have thought. The pair jumped the last in unison and fought their way to the line. It was only in the dying strides that World Citizen prevailed by a head from her 6/1 rival.

Today’s SP was 10/1, the same price she won at in Punchestown on New Year’s Eve and she was 33/1 when shedding her maiden status at Downpatrick last September.

Handler Desmond McDonogh said: “God be with the old days, this place was always good to me. It was the only track in Ireland that let me gallop Monksfield [Champion Hurdle winner in 1978 and 1979], but nowadays they let you gallop anywhere.

“That’s three races she’s won and she has the option of going over fences as well. The owners the Newells are from Dunshaughlin and are mighty owners.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes