Madam Bovary just denied Willie Mullins a four timer as she got the better of his Local Celebrity in the last race at Sligo this evening, the September 28th at Sligo Flat Race, for the Codd brothers of trainer Willie and rider Jamie.

The daughter of Old Vic won a point-to-point at Marlin in April on her debut. She then finished fourth at Wexford on her track debut in a maiden hurdle behind Virgil Earp, before finishing fourth again at Wexford last time out in a bumper just over three lengths behind Ginger Genie.

In the colours of Dermot Cox, the 5yo was given a great ride by Jamie Codd who dictated the race from the front, setting a modest pace, before quickening up from over two furlongs out.

She was then strongly pressed by the 9/10 favourite Local Celebrity, but she rallied gamely when joined and just got the better of the favourite by a neck at the line at the odds of 8/1.

Alexander Nevsky ran a nice race to complete the placings a further four lengths back in third at 5/1 for his trainer Tom Taaffe.

Winning trainer Willie Codd said afterwards: "My horses weren't right since Listowel in June, but they are coming back to themselves now.

"Her owner Dermot Cox kindly sent her to me to win a point-to-point and she did that on her debut.

"She was slow over hurdles but we didn't think she was a bumper horse either, so it's a bonus to win one with her.

"She will be a lovely broodmare for her owners in time and she might be left off till the spring now as she is a big mare.

"Jamie gave her a peach of a ride, dictating things from the front."

Donal Murphy