La Prima Donna rears at the start and refuses to race. Space Tourist, yellow and purple, lands the spoils© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins' Space Tourist took full advantage of stablemate La Prima Donna planting herself at the start to win the mares' hurdle in Kilbeggan by a huge 41 lengths.
Just the four horses jumped off and it was Media Naranja with Space Tourist in close attendance over this extended two and a-quarter mile trip.
Space Tourist jumped into the lead with a circuit to race and began to move clear two out. The gap widened on the long run to the last and, although she jumped it to her left, she was home for all money.
She strode in to the joy of those who backed the 6/4 favourite. Media Naranja (7/2) came in a remote second.
Assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said: “It's great for Sean (Cleary-Farrell, jockey). He's a real hard worker and a good rider. He's full-time in our yard and deserves all the opportunities he gets.
“She's a good mare and we might look to Galway now and see if we can get black-type with her.
“The owners (Yorkshire Rose Syndicate) got up at 3.30am this morning to come over from Leeds, so they'll be happy.
“She's improving all the time and loves that good ground.
“She's a bit out to her left, so she might even be better going the other direction but at the moment she's winning this way, so we'll go where we can.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
