Junta Marvel © Photo Healy Racing
The mares' bumper saw Junta Marvel (85/40) make a winning debut at the expense of 5/4 favourite Bioluminescence
The market principals both made progress from mid-division on the approach to the straight but it was the Willie Mullins-trained inmate who was always travelling the better of the pair. In front a furlong and a half out, the five-year-old was ridden out to beat the market leader by two and a half lengths with the pair drawing clear of the remainder.
Winning rider Patrick Mullins said: "It was a good performance, she was a little keen early on but we got to pick a nice strip of ground. Being by Masked Marvel, she loved the ground and while we hoped to have her ready for a Listed bumper, she could still make the grade 3 mares' bumper at Punchestown next month.
"John Turner bought her as a three-year-old and while I'm not sure she'll replace Billaway, he'll have plenty of fun with her.
"That's 200 wins for the yard this season, our best was 212 so hopefully we can beat that. We've had a brilliant season, it's not over yet with Fairyhouse, Aintree and Punchestown ahead."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
