Regina Dracones and Jack Foley© Photo Healy Racing
Following previous course winners has been the way to go on this afternoon's programme and Regina Dracones put a third Fairyhouse victory to her name in the Vote For Nina, Text 53125 Rated Novice Chase.
In the hands of Jack Foley the 15/8 favourite was always to the fore, but she put in a slow leap at the twelfth.
Worse was to come as the Kalanisi mare made a bad mistake three out. However Recite A Prayer found her too tough a rival from before the last, and a length and a quarter eventually split them.
They left Sovereign Gold thirteen lengths back in third.
Winning trainer Tom Gibney said afterwards: "She is just so tough and she loves it here. The conditions of the race really suited her as well.
"She did (take the third last by the roots), I thought that was us gone but Jack (Foley) said when she got her feet back, he was actually quite happy to follow Rachael (Blackmore on Sovereign Gold) into the straight. He said he felt like he had plenty and she started to come alive.
"She'll get a lot further too we think.
"I don't think it makes any difference (which way round she runs), I think she was going to win her first handicap hurdle in Navan and she fell at the second last I think."
(MG & EM)
