Ask Vic and Paul Townend lead Well Tuned and Kevin Sexton over the last© Photo Healy Racing
After disappointing at Bellewstown on her last start Ask Vic bounced back to form as she took the Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey Mares Novice Hurdle under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins.
The Supreme Horse Racing Club owned five-year-old won a bumper over the course and distance on her debut last September and she followed up her first start over flights at Listowel in June.
She was sent off a 5/2 chance on her next start in a conditions hurdle at Bellewstown but she could only manage a disappointing fifth there behind subsequent dual Galway Festival winner Aranhill Chief.
Switching to novice company and back against her own sex this evening she was sent off the 15/8 favourite having opened at 2/1 on-course.
After racing in a close second throughout she was pushed along and hit the front after the second last, keeping in well on the run-in when ridden to score by two lengths.
The front-running Well Tuned had to settle for second at 9/4 under Kevin Sexton for John Nicholson while Beach Of Falesa (also 9/4) was a further length and three parts back in third.
Paul Townend said afterwards: "She stays well and her jumping is improving every day. She was probably the fresh one coming here and she stuck at it well.
"I was anxious not to let Kevin (on Well Tuned) steady it up too much in front. I was always happy on her.
"She's progressive and when fillies get winning they can often go on and win a few."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
