Female Soldier (white face) powers home under Billy Lee© Photo Healy Racing
The Tom Mullins trained Female Soldier sprang a 66/1 surprise on debut in the Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Fillies Maiden.
Mullins has done well with his Flat runners in recent seasons, with Stela Star (33/1) and Red Linn (50/1) also pulling off shock wins for him and his wife Helen at Leopardstown in 2019 and last year respectively.
Slightly slow into stride, the chestnut victor was settled towards rear by Billy Lee and had plenty to do in ninth from the three furlong pole.
Soon switched to the outer, she really got going when ridden from over a furlong out, edging to the front inside the final 100 yards before going on to prevail by a neck. Zaniyka (15/2), who swished her tail when ridden inside the final furlong, had to settle for second under Chris Hayes for Dermot Weld, while evens favourite Ark was another two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third.
"She was giving all the right vibes at home. We didn't want firm ground for her, the ground was nice today and when the forecast was good we said we'd take a chance," said Mullins.
"I was hoping she'd run into a place. When I saw the field I thought it was a fairly hot maiden and fair play to her, she's very decent.
"I thought a mile-and-two was perfect for her so we took our chance.
"She was able to beat Morning Soldier at home and she'd be getting 7lb from him in a maiden. He's not too bad, he's rated 87.
"We were just hoping for a good run but we weren't expecting to win.
"I hope she takes it well, she should as she's a strong minded filly. You probably won't see her out again for a few weeks at least. She'll probably be sold."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
