Naisiun and Rory Cleary lead home the grey Dark Viper © Photo Healy Racing
Naisiun sprang a surprise in the King Of Change At Compas Stallions Handicap, providing Jim Bolger and Rory Cleary with their first success of the season.
Fifth on her handicap debut when last seen at the Curragh in September, the Dawn Approach bay was sent off a 20/1 chance this afternoon.
Settled in mid-division on the outer, the Jackie Bolger-owned victor made progress from early in the straight but looked held in third from the furlong pole.
However, she found another gear in the closing stages and swept to the front inside the final 100 yards, going on to prevail by a length-and-three-quarters.
Second at the Curragh on Monday, Dark Viper (2/1f) again had to settle for the runner-up berth, while the well-back Sylkie (4/1 from 16s early) was another length-and-a-half away in third.
"It's great to get off the mark, they've been running well today and we had three finish fourth," travelling head lad Ger Flynn commented.
"She handled the ground and Rory said she outstayed the favourite, it looked like he had her cooked all the way up the straight.
"He said he wasn't catching the favourite until about 100 yards from the line and stamina really came into play. Our horses are fit.
"Hopefully we'll find something similar for her again, she handled the ground very well.
"I'd stay stepping up in trip will be no problem for her and she definitely wants to go a mile. Her early form last year wasn't too bad and we knew she'd handle the ground."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
