Vic is a tough little mare

Mini Vic added to a bumper win at Tramore on New Year’s Eve when taking the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle in gutsy fashion.

The eight-year-old daughter of Old Vic looked set to be denied by 7/4 joint favourite Perfect Gentleman when that rival loomed up approaching the last.

However Mini Vic found plenty under strong driving from Declan Bates, and repelled the Mullins gelding by three quarters of a length. Sandeel Bay (25/1) was a further seven lengths away in third.

The other joint favourite, Go All The Way weakened in the straight eventually finishing fifth.

Winning trainer Liz Doyle said, “I’m delighted with her. We said coming here that if she finished third we’d be thrilled. But she’s so tough and very brave.

“She’s tiny but she was made to race, and we’ll probably run her in a handicap off a light weight now.”