Laviniad (nearside) gets up to touch off Tested (centre) and Corail (far)© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins trained his fourth winner of the week as his Laviniad consigned Tested to runner-up berth for the second year in succession in the Listed Arthur Guinness European Breeders Fund Corrib Fillies Stakes at Galway.
Laviniad's regular partner Pat Smullen looked likely to win on Tested after she led entering the straight, but the victor got a good split up the rail and eventually landed the spoils by a head.
There was the same distance to the strong finishing Corail in third.
"I'm after watching it three times, I thought she was second the first time, and third the second time, and I still can't make out the angle here. I watched it in the parade ring which I never do, I always watch them live," said Mullins.
"She's very temperamental. We had an awful job to get Declan on to her, and eventually when he did get on to her at the fence here past the stands, he had to ride her without his feet in the irons the whole up to the start. She's herself but once you let her be herself she's fine.
"I always keep them entered up just in case they win out of turn like that. I didn't dream she'd win today. I have her entered in Cork next week where she's won before - I love horses for courses.
"I didn't think she'd handle this track, so it just goes to show the way they can surprise you, but she's a filly that's improving all season. She's big and she's got really strong this year and her strength is coming out now.
"Any winner is good. We don't buy too many Flat ones so we just get sent Flat horses by people and Ballylinch support us every year, sending us an odd good one like this. It's fantastic.
"She is settling more and I was surprised Declan had to push her along early, as normally she is very keen."
Meanwhile Declan McDonogh commented: "Pat (Smullen) told me getting up on her was the hardest part. He said to be careful and to keep going forward once you get aboard.
"She fly-leapt but then she hacked down fine, lobbing down, I had no irons, I'll be sore in the morning but it was grand.
"I'd said she's a filly on the up. I couldn't go the pace early and I had to give the rail away and to sit and suffer.
"The hill really played a big part for her. The last hundred yards was the best."
(TW & EM)
