Moracana finishes off strongly to score

Moracana put her best foot forward to oblige on handicap debut at Leopardstown.

She foiled a gamble on Earl of Tyrone who was all the rage after the morning-price favourite Haziya was ruled out due to being in season.

Moracana raced away from stall 17 in this mile and a quarter handicap for horses rated 50-80 and improved to rear of mid-division after three furlongs.

She tacked on to the tail of the main group with half a mile to travel and had to come wide entering the straight as she lost her place.

She surged into contention racing to the final furlong, though, and swept through to catch Entropy in the final 100 yards. The Elzaam filly went on by a length at 8/1.

Entropy (9/1) was booked for the runner-up berth once passed and was a length and a half clear of third-placed Earl Of Tyrone (13/8 - 11/10f) who found traffic problems turning for home. Each-way backers drew a dividend from fourth home, Chicago Bear (12/1).

Trainer Sheila Lavery said: “I thought she was well handicapped but I was a bit worried about the draw and all the family want a bit of a dig in the ground.

“What an attitude she has and what a ride. She was a touch keen early on with Robbie and is still a bit green.

“The owner bought her for Galway but I said to her that I'm not sure she'd be a Galway type of horse.”

Moracana won her maiden over course and distance in October.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson