"I've always loved her. The owner (Marietta Fox-Pitt) is a great friend of Jessica Harrington, and after running at Aintree she said why not go for this race. We didn't expect it to be quite as strong," explained trainer Charlie Longsdon after his Snow Leopardess made the journey across from England worthwhile in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mucklemeg Mares INH Flat Race at Gowran.

The grey daughter of Martaline, popular in the betting this morning and eventually sent off a 4/1 chance, shaped well up the straight as plenty of the rest were asked for more.

Once Jamie Codd gave Snow Leopardess the office, she went on to convincingly beat Takeittothelimits by three and three parts of a length. Sassy Diva at 100/1 ran a huge race to be a short-head back in third, whilst Queen Deirdre at 11/10 could manage no better than tenth.

"She has grown and strengthened over the summer. She's a nice mare and Jamie liked her," added Longsdon.

"She was the best four-year-old at Aintree and the most inexperienced.

"She jumps brilliant and could run in a two and a half miles maiden hurdle in the morning. We will probably start her over two miles but she needs two and a half."

(AM & EM)