Maristella in charge in the closing stages© Photo Healy Racing
Maristella got off the mark in her first venture into handicap company at Galway.
Johnny Murtagh 's four-year-old New Bay filly had a notable piece of form in maiden company in the book when runner-up to subsequent double Group 3 winner Rosscarbery on debut at Dundalk in April. She was sent off 4/1 favourite on this her third appearance.
She tracked front-running Higher Kingdom over this extended mile handicap for three-year-olds plus rated 50-75 and closed climbing the hill to the final bend.
The pair seemingly had the race to themselves as nothing was coming from behind and Maristella gave Higher Kingdom a slight bump as the pair were locked together outside the furlong pole.
The came close again before Ben Coen drove Maristella on in the final 100 yards to beat the 50/1 runner-up by two and a half lengths. There was a gap of three lengths back to third-placed Coins Cross (9/1). Molly's Gamble kept on for fourth at 12/1.
Coen said: "She half missed the break and I was able to get a nice pitch up behind Seamie (Heffernan, on Higher Kingdom) the whole way. She was a little bit green, it was only her third run and, to be fair, when I got her balanced and going forward, she lengthened well.
"She enjoyed that ground and hopefully she can stay improving. She is a fine, big, strong filly, so hopefully can keep going the right way."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
