O'Brien gets it spot on Ishvana
Ishvana (nearside) sees it out well from Slade Power (outside) & Janey Muddles (centre)
© Photo Healy Racing
There may have only been five in the line-up but the [email protected] Race was a cracking little heat. Many punters won't remember it with fondness though as 6/1 chance Ishvana (successful on her only previous visit here) came out best under a well-executed Joseph O'Brien ride. Piri Wango the second choice in the betting, set the pace here under Johnny Murtagh with market-leader Slade Power held up by Wayne Lordan in order to see out the trip. O'Brien took over on Ishvana over a furlong out and try as he might Lordan couldn't get to him on Slade Power half a length separating the pair at the line. There was just a head back to Janey Muddles in third.
This was a sweet success for the O'Brien's as Joseph's Mother Ann Marie bred and also owns the Holy Roman Emperor three-year-old.
Joseph said: "She got a nice lead – she picked up then and was very genuine.
"She ran a good race at the Curragh first time out this year but she got knocked down at Leopardstown the last day." (AM & EM)