Little Lady Lucy (second from left) leads home her rivals© Photo Healy Racing
After the success of State Of Joy in the third, Joseph O'Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle doubled their tally with Little Lady Lucy in the Pravha Handicap.
Third on her handicap debut at Tipperary earlier this month and upped in trip today, the Expert Eye three-year-old was well-fancied to go a few places better.
Returned the 5/2 favourite (from 4s), the Digger and Dalton-owned bay led in the early stages before soon settling in second.
Ridden to challenge with less than two furlongs to go, she gained a narrow lead just inside the furlong pole, keeping on well from there to score by two and a quarter lengths.
After leading for much of the contest, Barretstown (17/2) was a gallant second under Billy Lee, while Thefullbackline (16/1) was a further length and three quarters back in third.
"She had a nice run the last day on her first run in a handicap," stable representative Sean Corby remarked.
"I'd say the little bit further here and more of a galloping track suited her.
"She went through the ground well. Now that she has gone through it, hopefully she might be able to win another race before the end of the year.
"She was really good from the gates and put herself in a good position. It looked like Billy and Dylan kind of bossed the race from the front.
"She showed a good attitude then as well."
STEWARDS REPORTS
S. Foley, rider of Boomerang Bill trained by Ross O'Sullivan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was denied a clear run.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident in the closing stages of this race involving Thefullbackline (GB), ridden by T. Manley-Pender, placed third, and So Messi ridden by J.J.G. Ryan, placed sixth, where it appeared Thefullbackline drifted right. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. T. Manley-Pender stated that his mount drifted a bit right but didn't think he interfered with So Messi. J.J.G. Ryan stated that his mount was fading when Thefullbackline came across him. He further added that he felt slight contact but there wasn't much in it. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action other than to remind T. Manley-Pender to ride with more awareness in future.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
