Mandamus (Ronan Whelan) sees off Dawn Mirage and Corbata© Photo Healy Racing
Sheila Lavery's Viztoria may have had to settle for ninth place, in the 2.20 at Ascot, the Group 2 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes, but less than an hour later the County Meath-based horsewoman got a nice boost courtesy of Mandamus 33/1 success in the Coolmore Most Improved Maiden at Cork.
The Ronan Whelan-ridden four times previously tried Lawman gelding finished with a flourish to come home three lengths and three parts of a length to the good from the market-leaders, Dawn Mirage and Corbata (had fought out a good duel until Mandamus surged past).
Whelan commented: "When he got to the front he wasn't doing a whole lot. Sheila said he wasn't a 33/1 shot, and he loved the ground. He's a typical Lawman.
"I was drawn high and didn't get away that well, so I needed to ride a bit for luck. Hopefully he'll improve but the ground will be the key to him." (AM & EM)
