Princess upsets odds-on Mystic

Bluegrass Princess sprang a 20/1 surprise in the concluding Tipper Road Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race, scoring for the father and son team of Eamonn and Eoin O'Connell.

A good ten length winner of a bumper at Tramore in August of 2015, the daughter of Choisir was then off the track for well over a year, returning to action at Clonmel last month.

She finished down the field in a maiden hurdle on that occasion, and she was sent off a 20/1 chance today (big as 50's this morning and from 25's on-course).

Settled in rear early on, she made progress into mid-division down the back stretch. She then came with her challenge on the outer with over three furlongs to race, and was ridden to the front from the furlong pole, going on to score easily by eleven lengths. Mystic Theatre who was sent off the 1/2 favourite, couldn't match the winner inside the final furlong, and she had to settle for second under Patrick Mullins for his father Willie.

Newcomer Wings Like Arion (10/1) completed the placings a further three and a half lengths back in third under Kate Harrington for her mother Jessica.

"She'll go to the Punchestown Festival now for the big mares bumpers. She's very good I'd say - the best we have anyway." said O'Connell senior.

"She's a good mare. She's back from a leg injury so hopefully she'll be in one piece after this."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson