Witty appreciates the step up in trip

Placed on four of her previous seven starts Witty Repartee got a deserved win to her name as she took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap under Chris Hayes for Andy Oliver and owner Francis Campbell.

Third to Beat The Ballot over the course last Friday she was sent off the 2/1 favourite this evening on her first try over a mile and a quarter.

Settled in second she hit the front two furlongs out and was soon ridden. She kept on well inside the final furlong and went on to score by a length and a quarter. Annagh Haven finished second under Leigh Roche for Michael Mulvany at 5/1 while the 9/4 second favourite Tsundoku could only manage a disappointing fourth.

Andy Oliver said afterwards: "She did it well. She probably hadn't really gotten her conditions up until now.

"She was a late starter last year and at home I probably misjudged her pace. She ran over seven and we stepped up tonight.

"She likes nice ground and Leopardstown do a great job. They produced a lovely kind surface.

"She saw out the trip well and got a good ride from Chris. We'll see where we go now. It's great for the owner who is a great enthusiast of the game."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson