Anvika comes from last to first under Carroll Anvika came from last to first in the Regeneron 'Celebrating A Decade In Limerick' Handicap, providing Sheila Lavery with a fourth winner of the month. Bought by Lavery for E12,000 at the Tattersalls September Yearling Sale, the Dandy Man chestnut made the breakthrough at Dundalk in December, failing to make an impact in recent starts at Naas and the Curragh respectively. Sent off a 13/2 chance this afternoon (briefly touch 14s early), the Spyglass Syndicate-owned victor raced in rear early on, improving on the outer when pushed along from the two furlong pole. Soon ridden, she shot to the front inside the final 150 yards and came home a length and three quarters to the good, unceremoniously unseating Gary Carroll shortly after the line. The Kevin Coleman-trained Byzantine Empress (11/2) couldn't match the winner inside the final furlong and had to settle for second, while Thrift Of Digby (12/1) was another three and three quarters of a length away in third. Returned the 3/1 favourite, Solomon Coop faded in the straight and finished a disappointing sixth. "She spotted the roadway late-on, ducked and just got me; she wanted to do a lap of honour!" Carroll quipped in the aftermath. "We wanted her to relaxed and she relaxed well. She picked up well, got to the line well and when she does learn to relax fully, she will end up getting a mile. "She is a nice filly and hopefully will improve again. I liked her and think she can go forward." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
