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Champella goes one better at Down Royal

Champella (green and white)Champella (green and white)
© Photo Healy Racing

Second at 20/1 on her debut at Down Royal a month ago, 10/3 joint-favourite Champella went one better in the Bet With Carlin The Punters Darling (Pro/Am) Fillies Flat Race.

The Ross O'Sullivan-trained half-sister to two winners travelled smoothly down the hill to get into contention and led a furlong and a half out. She was driven out by Tom Harney to account for the eyecatching Love At Sea by a length. Ah Fuhgeddaboudit was a further half length back in third.

Harney said: "She does (have some ability) and, to fair to her, I wasn't as happy as I was the last day throughout the race. She didn't travel as sweet but there was a little bit more argy-bargy and I don't think she enjoyed it. She's not all that big.

"I gave her a few slaps down the shoulder turning into the straight and she really latched on to the bridle. I probably got there too soon.

"She did (have a lovely run here before) and we liked her. She was doing nice bits of work at home. It was encouraging that she could improve from it."

Quotes from Michael Graham

About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.