Sancta Simona in a different league to her opposition© Photo Healy Racing
Sancta Simona went into plenty of notebooks as she cruised home in the bumper at Kilbeggan.
The five-year-old mare eased past even-money-favourite Active Force over a furlong out and Patrick Mullins was motionless as she drew further and further clear to stroll home by 11 lengths.
She was easy to back from 6/4 out to 2/1 although those who did play the odds never had a moments doubt.
Active Force finished second, 17 lengths in front of Cemister (8/1 from 11s).
A morning-price gamble on Pike County (50/1 to and SP of 12/1) went awry as he came home well behind in fifth.
Patrick Mullins said: “She was very good. The better ground helped her out, she got stuck in the mud in Thurles.
“Virginia Beauscop looks after her and has done a great job with her. She has lots of gears and could win on the Flat.
“I think she's probably a black-type mare. She'd be made for that Listed mares' bumper in Gowran but that's a long way away. She'll get black-type somewhere anyway.”
Sancta Simona was 19 lengths runner-up to subsequent Grade Two-placed Rhinestone on debut at Thurles in December.
This was a third winner on the card for Willie Mullins following on from Redhotfillypeppers and Steel Wave
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
