First-time blinkers work a treat on Josephine Josephine Marcus got off the mark on her seventh attempt over flights as she took the Living The Dream Mares Handicap Hurdle under Ger Fox for Noel Meade. The five-year-old daughter of Flemensfirth won a bumper on debut at Wexford in April of 2013 but she was well-beaten on her next four starts before finishing second on her handicap debut at Navan. She ran out last time at Limerick when coming with her challenge and she was fitted with blinkers for the first time today. Available at 8/1 last night she opened at just 4's on-course before going off the 10/3 second favourite. Prominent in the early stages she was then settled in second and made a mistake at the second. She went in pursuit of the leader Catimini from before the last and she was soon ridden, coming with her challenge between horses. She hit the front with less than 100 yards to race and she kept on well from there to score by two lengths. Feel The Air was sent off the 5/2 favourite and she finished second under Derek Fox for Mark McNiff while long-time leader Catimini (14/1) was a further two lengths back in third under Kevin Sexton for Sean Byrne. Ger Fox said afterwards: "She jumped very well and I had to keep her covered. The blinkers kept her straight. She probably would have won in Limerick but she got pushed a bit and took the easy way out." "She has improved a bit more and put her head down and went for the gap. She''s a nice mare to look forward to." Additional reporting by Michael Graham
