Limini (nearest) gets the better of Law Girl© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins landed another big pot on the Flat when Limini edged out stable-mate Law Girl in a titanic battle for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Petingo' Handicap at Leopardstown.
The classy hurdler had been placed twice on her return to action at the Galway festival last month and was a 5/1 shot in the mile-and-a-half contest worth €150,000.
Oisin Murphy had to come wide in the straight to launch his challenge and the Peintre Celebre mare gained a narrow advantage inside the final furlong.
She was soon tackled by another of owner Rich Ricci's mares in Law Girl, however, and there was nothing between the pair in the closing stages.
Limini just found a bit more close home to record a hard fought success, getting up for a head victory.
“We weren't happy with our draws but I think the English horse set a huge gallop and it suited ours as they were late finishers,” said Mullins.
“Limini was a shade unlucky in Galway and has made up for it there. Law Girl ran really above herself, she ran fantastic and it just shows that she wants to hear herself hitting the ground.
“We thought it was going to be too short for her, and for a minute it looked like she'd got there too soon, but she ran a cracker and both Danny and Oisin gave them fantastic rides.
“It fantastic for Limini and for Rich. Between the horses today and yesterday he's having a nice Flat campaign.
“Limini's a nice filly and we thought we'd be back on the Flat with her last year but we didn't get around to it.
“She's earning her keep on the Flat and we're very very pleased. I wouldn't be afraid to go up in trip with her either.
“We are lucky enough we have these nice stayers and they go on good ground. We've try to make as much of whatever horses we have and going this route (on the Flat) suits us.
“I'd imagine these will go to the Cesarewitch, Limini definitely, and the others and Lagostovegas The Irish and English Cesarewitch are both there and we'll see what way the ball hops for them.
“There is only a day between. Ground will dictate where Law Girl goes. She really surprised me today.
“We're going to pursue this Flat game with Limini and wait till we get out to a mile-and-six and two miles.
“We had thought could she be a Melbourne Cup horse and she'd be getting up to that area now. The only thing is that the ratings for it are going so high.
“That's what we had thought two years ago when she was running well and maybe she will keep improving.
“Obviously she's not in it this year. We got to look at the Ebor and races like that next year that she will get into now.
“If she can run for a million or seven million we'll give up the jumping for a while anyway!”
