Wesley Joyce celebrates his double© Photo Healy Racing
Michael Mulvany and Wesley Joyce doubled up at Navan with a very in-form Fratas
The three-year-old daughter of Fracas arrived seeking a four-timer and she got the job done after a duel with the favourite Perfect Poise
Perfect Poise led Fratas at the halfway stage in this mile handicap for fillies' and mares' and Fratas got on terms racing to the final two furlongs.
The pair separated themselves from the field inside the final furlong and it was Fratas who just found that bit extra close home to score by a neck at 13/2 from the 10/3 favourite. Fools Glory (12/1) ran on well for third and got to within three-quarter of a length of the runner-up.
"She's tough. I knew today, bringing her back in trip, that you'd have to stay. The first two went some gallop and I thought they might run out of petrol, but they didn't,” said Mulvany.
“She showed her toughness the whole way to the line. That's her fifth win since she joined me and you wouldn't know where we'd go after this.
“The handicapper can't give us too much anyway as she's only won by short margins all the time. Hopefully it will be onwards and upwards.
“We'd be hoping we could get a bit of black-type with her.
“The lads, Raymond and Martin, that own her are lovely fellas and they are very good to everyone in the yard.”
Mulvany and Joyce were earlier successful with Rathbranchurch who obliged in race three.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident a furlong after the start involving Fratas, ridden by W. Joyce, placed first, Signora Bellissima ridden by B.M. Coen, unplaced, and Drop The Dip ridden by G.M. Ryan, placed fourth, where it appeared that Drop The Dip ran short of room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. G.M. Ryan stated that he got pressure from his outside after a furlong which caused him to check. B.M. Coen stated that after a slow start his mount began to run keen after he received a bump from his inside. W. Joyce stated that he wanted to go forward from his wide draw and thought he was clear as he came across. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found W. Joyce was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly, and having considered his record in this regard the Raceday Stewards suspended him for four racedays.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
