Vanellope (yellow) is ridden out by Adam Short to beat Platinum Express (inside) and Robin On The Hill (blue)© Photo Healy Racing
Vanellope bounced back to form in the feature at Ballinrobe this evening, the Irish EBF John Mulhern Mares Handicap Hurdle.
Trained in Co. Wicklow by Peter Croke, the daughter of Presenting was successful in a bumper at Wexford in March of last year.
After failing to make a significant impact over flights during the winter, she was then given a break, and returned to action at Listowel, finishing down the field in the race won by Humm Baby.
Available at 20/1 in early shows, she did come in for some market support, touching 12s on-course before going off a 10/1 chance in the colours of owner Maurice Sheehy.
Settled towards rear by Adam Short, the six-year-old victor was ridden and took closer order on the outer from the second last.
She jumped the final flight in a share of second, and got to the front from the furlong pole, keeping on well from there to prevail by two lengths.
Platinum Express (9/2 from 8s in early shows) finished second under Rachael Blackmore for Liam Cusack, while Robin On The Hill (5/1), who didn't have much luck in running, was another half a length back in third.
Listowel winner Presenting Mahler was sent off the 7/2 favourite, and after attempting to make all, she had nothing left to offer once headed on the run-in, and eventually finished fifth.
"I live about five minutes away from Peter's yard. It's great - I started going in there on school holidays and things and we've had a bit of luck this year," said Short.
"On her bumper form she had a chance. She won a bumper in Wexford. She was a little bit disappointing the last day in Listowel but I'd say she probably just needed it.
"It was a good race. We went a right good gallop and I was able to creep away into it and sure it worked out anyway."
Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy
