Viztoria books her Champion Sprint ticket

Viztoria put in a very taking display in dominating the six furlong Listed race at the Curragh for Eddie Lynam and Pat Smullen.

The four-year-old filly was sent off the 15/8 favourite and her supporters were in full cheer a long way from home.

From fourth at the halfway point, she improved to lead at the two pole and then readily asserted a furlong and a half out. She opened up a three-length gap on stablemate Gathering Power (8/1). Andrew Slattery’s An Saighdiur was three lengths adrift in third at 10/1.

Eddie Lynam said: “It’s great to have a good horse, but even better to have a good owner. They have been very patient, and that’s the first time in yonks that she’s had her ground. There has been no problem; we have just been waiting on the ground.

“She ran on very bad ground in France and ran poorly. We never found a reason for it, but that’s the only blip on her CV. We flew her over and she’d never been on a plane before and maybe that gave her a fright. She will go for the Champion Sprint next Saturday and is entitled to take her chance.”

She received a quote of 12/1 with Boylesports for the Champion Sprint at Ascot.

Viztoria improved her race record to five wins from 11 runs. She won at Group 2 and Group 3 level last year.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee