Vivienda and Colin Keane. © Photo Healy Racing
Having won the previous race on the card, Ger Lyons and Colin Keane quickly doubled up when Vivienda made a winning start to life in handicap company in the Book Your Hospitality @fairyhouse.ie handicap.
After showing promise on both starts on turf last season, the Juddmonte owned filly disappointed when a beaten favourite on the all weather at Dundalk on her reappearance last month.
Clearly better suited to the grass, the daughter of Showcasing looked a different proposition here, mowing down her rivals with a strong late burst. Martinelli led under Declan McDonogh early in the straight but came under pressure at the furlong pole as his stamina began to give way.
Keane was pushing along on the eventual winner at that point but once meeting the rising ground, she picked up in impressive fashion to go on to win by half-a-length from Masoun
Ger Lyons said: “She's a lovely honest filly and whatever she has she gives.
“She's a work in progress, she's light and she's only going to start thriving now with the weather.
“Seven to a mile (is her trip) on top of the ground and hopefully she'll win another one.
“I'd say she'll have a date in the July sales so we'll run her up to that point and then decide whether she goes or not.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
