Eric McNamara on the mark with Fitz

The Fitz Lady recorded her second career success, as she took the Cork Racecourse August Summer Festival Mares Handicap Hurdle, under Robbie Power for Eric McNamara.

After recording her first success at Ballinrobe last September, the nine-year-old daughter of Wareed disappointed on her next two starts.

Returning from a break she ran well to finish fourth at Limerick last Sunday, and she was sent off a 10/1 chance this evening in the colours of owner Colm Horgan.

Settled behind the leaders on the inner, she was ridden to challenge from three out and hit the front before the next. She kept on well under pressure from there, going on to score by three parts of a length. Popboru was sent off the 9/2 favourite and he finished second under Adrian Heskin for John Joe Walsh, while Jet Mistress (25/1) kept on well to take third, a head back under Jack Kennedy for Paul Nolan.

The front running Courtin Bb (16/1) completed the placings a further length and a quarter back in fourth under Phillip Enright for Patrick Duffy.

Eric McNamara, who was recording his first winner since September, said afterwards: "She ran a blinder on her comeback run at Limerick and I thought we had her fairly right today.

"She has been very very consistent and is capable at this level. If she doesn't go up too much there could be another day in her and she could go back to Ballinrobe soon as she has won there in the past."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes