Lionnar and John Gleeson (left) lead home Beauforts Storm and David Doyle© Photo Healy Racing
Lionnar rounded off a fine evening for Joseph O'Brien at the Curragh, as she claimed the concluding Betting Better With Sky Bet INH Flat Race.
Earlier successful in the opener with Islandsinthestream and in the feature with Nusret O'Brien was completing a 129/1 treble.
Ridden by John Gleeson, who started his Leaving Certificate Examinations this morning and was deputising for the injured Tom Hamilton, Lionnar was sent off a well-backed 9/4 chance (from 4s early), having finished fourth on her only previous outing at Killarney.
Settled behind the market principals in third, the bay victor was pushed along to challenge with over two furlongs to race.
Ridden in second from the furlong pole, she battled gamely in the closing stages and hit the front inside the final 100 yards, going on to score by three-parts-of-a-length for the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate.
When sweeping to the front over a furlong from home, it looked as if Beauforts Storm (33/1) was going to spring a surprise on debut.
However, she ultimately couldn't hold off the winner and had to settle for the runner-up berth under David Doyle for his father Tim.
The market leaders, Bumble Bee Beet (6/4f from 9/4) and Extrapolation (15/8), paid the price for setting a strong pace and they finished second last and last respectively.
"She had a nice run first time out and we knew that she would like the ground. John gave her a lovely ride and she was obviously receiving plenty of weight which was a help," O'Brien commented.
"Tom had surgery on his collarbone this morning after a fall at Listowel on Monday. I feel for him but John rides out with us and is a very capable rider.
"She's a nice filly and could go for another winners' bumper now.
"It's great for the owners who are great supporters of ours and that's their 96th winner."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
