Amanirenas and Ryan team up well in apprentice handicap

Amanirenas finished with a flourish to take the extended seven furlong apprentice handicap on Leopardstown's card. Invincible Larne had set sail for home in the final quarter of a mile, however, he began to paddle in the final furlong as James Ryan produced Amanirenas to challenge down the outer.

The duo swept through to claim the leader with 150 yards to travel and kept on well to score by a length and a-half at 8/1.

Invincible Larne (33/1) clung on to second by a short head from Coins Cross (7/2f).

“She'd shown glimmers. She got left about 10 lengths in Fairyhouse the last day and I thought that was the first run where she was showing she was coming back to herself,” said trainer Michael Grassick.

“We brought her to Newcastle and there was a false start and they were waiting for about 15 minutes and she totally boiled over.

“Ever since she came home she's been a different filly, worrying about things and stressing out going racing. She was sweating on us and just wasn't relaxing.

“She's finally found her way back and she was well handicapped off her run last year.

“It's great for the owner (Mrs Renata Coleman) who has three or four with me, it's nice to get a winner for her again.

“When she missed the break, we had to ride her cold and I said to switch out wide and it seemed to work. She enjoyed it today, not getting her crowded and letting her enjoy it.

“She's in again on Thursday (here) and we might run her back again if the ground is okay.”

Amanirenas had posted one other victory and it came over seven furlongs at this track in July last year.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson