Jim Bolger continued his excellent start to the new season, as his Madam Seamstress got up close home to land the navanracecourse.ie Handicap.

Unplaced in three maidens last year, the daughter of Vocalised was sent off a 25/1 chance this afternoon with Rory Cleary in the saddle.

Drawn on the wide outside in stall 23, the bay victor had plenty to do from halfway. However she responded well for pressure, and flew home from the two furlong pole, getting up in the closing stages to prevail by half a length.

The Damian English trained Mokhalad (12/1) was the one just denied, while Heavenly Rainbow (12/1) and Early Call (16/1) completed the placings in third and fourth respectively.

The well-backed Peshkova went off the 11/2 favourite (from 10s), but she could only manage a disappointing twelfth under Billy Lee.

Bolger, who recorded a treble on the opening day of the Flat turf season at Naas last Sunday, said afterwards: "I thought she had a chance but I'm not noted for sprinters!

"Another furlong or two would be no problem to her. She was nearly last at one point and being able to win without being up on the pace and not running freely will help her to get a longer trip."

STEWARDS REPORT

J.A. Heffernan, rider of Gopsies Daughter trained by Denis Gerard Hogan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got no luck in-running.

G.P. Halpin, rider of May Remain (GB) trained by Richard John O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount met trouble in the final furlong and a half.

At the request of the Stewards, W.J. Lee, rider of Peshkova, trained by W. McCreery, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount became a little unbalanced approximately two furlongs out and was unable to take a gap and was forced to take back.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee