Lord Rapscallion and Nikita Kane win from Baraniya© Photo Healy Racing
Nikita Kane was seen to very good effect in The MansionBet Beaten By A Head Handicap as she rode her third winner on Lord Rapscallion (14/1).
There was a steady pace on early and Kane decided to move from fourth into the lead over half a mile from home.
Her mount got it easy on the front end and only Baraniya was a threat in the final furlong but the Alhebayeb gelding held that one to score by a half a length.
This sort of pace scenario was no good to 10/3 favourite Ice Cold In Alex who ran on late to be a never-threatening third, a further three lengths away.
It was the 10lbs claimer Kane’s third winner of the season, having gained her first win on the same horse last month at Bellewstown.
It was a 30th winner of the season for winning trainer Johnny Murtagh who said: "I jocked her off the last time because I thought Galway would be tough. He missed the kick there and Shane Kelly said he could never get going.
“He’s in great form and goes well for her (Nikita Kane). He’s put on 20 kilos since the start of the year so he’s just starting to thrive now. He’s a late maturing horse and I couldn’t see him making the improvement that he has.
“He’s on the crest of a wave at the moment and has brought his home work to the track which sometimes he didn’t do. He’s rated 94 and it’s unbelievable the way she has clicked with him. She rides him in the morning, and is now down to a 7lb claim which was one of her targets at the start of the year.
“I think seven furlongs is good for him so we might look at the big handicap at Leopardstown on Irish Champions Weekend.
“It’s a great win for the team and good to get to 30 for the year.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
