Laura Bullion (leading) is ridden out by Colin Keane to beat Lyrical Attraction (pink) and Whitsunday Islands© Photo Healy Racing
Laura Bullion clearly appreciated the step up in trip to a mile-and-a-half, as she recorded her first win in the L'Isle De France Take Away Dundalk Handicap.
Trained by Noel Meade and owned by his wife Derville, the daughter of Canford Cliffs was placed on one of seven starts last season, and was last seen finishing fifth over a mile-and-a-quarter at Leopardstown earlier this month.
Having opened on-course at 13/2 this evening, she eventually went off a 5/1 chance under Colin Keane, and raced mainly in sixth.
She took closer order and was pushed along from early in the straight, and was ridden to lead from the furlong pole, keeping on well from there to hold off the efforts of Lyrical Attraction (11/2) and Whitsunday Islands (3/1) by a neck and a short head.
The Emmet Mullins trained Fujimoto Flyer was sent off a well-backed 9/4 favourite (7s in a place this morning and from 10/3 on-course), but she could only manage a disappointing eighth.
"She's named after a member of Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch Gang," said Meade.
"I was a bit disappointed with her a couple of times before. I'm not surprised she won and I thought the trip was a help.
"We bred her ourselves and she's a full-sister to Union Gap. She's the first one to have won out of the mare so hopefully she can breed a few more winners.
"She's probably big enough and strong enough to be a jumper as well in time. I'm delighted she won.
"She seemed to go on that surface quite well and of course yer man in the saddle is a big help. It keeps the owner happy as well!"
STEWARDS REPORTS
B.M. Coen, rider of Lethal Endeavour (GB) trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount's saddle slipped.
The Stewards interviewed R.P. Whelan, rider of Lyrical Attraction, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg.10.3(g)(frequency) and having taken his record into account suspended him for 1 race day.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Fujimoto Flyer (JPN), trained by Emmet Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post race.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
