In-foal Atavique justifies favouritism On her third start for Tom Gibney, the in-foal Atavique claimed the Visit fairyhouse.ie For Special Offers & Gifts Apprentice Handicap. Twice successful in the UK when trained by Gay Kelleway, the daughter of Dubawi went down by just half-a-length on her most recent start at Sligo. Settled behind the leaders by Robert Whearty, the five-year-old was pushed along to challenge over two furlongs out and soon led. Ridden clear with over a furlong to go, she kept up the gallop in the closing stages, coming home a length-and-half to the good. Barrys Rock (16s to 11s) kept on well to take second under Cian McRedmond for Tony Mullins, while the easy-to-back Alma Libre (7/4 out to 3s) also finished strongly, another two-and-a-half lengths back in third. "It was great to get a winner for Kevin (Haigney, owner) as he was waiting for a long time for one," said Gibney. "Kevin picked the filly out himself at the sales in Newmarket last October and she's worked out a treat. It's great to get a result with her. "The run the last day was a lovely run and we were pretty confident we'd be knocking on the door on the back of that. "She had won a couple in England but we felt there was more to come. She's in foal and the plan was to try and pick up a race before she retired." STEWARDS REPORTS * S.T. McCullagh, rider of The Virginian trained by Padraig Roche, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled. * J. Coen, rider of Alma Libre (FR) trained by Natalia Lupini, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount jumped left from the stalls. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
