Remarkable Lady is ridden out by Pat Smullen© Photo Healy Racing
Remarkable Lady bounced back from a disappointing effort in the Ulster Oaks, as she took the feature at Ballinrobe, the Win Big With Tote Handicap.
Having made the breakthrough on her penultimate start at Navan, the Harry Rogers owned four-year-old then finished last of eight in the Ulster Oaks at Down Royal.
Sent off at 6/1 this evening, she was settled in second by Pat Smullen, and took closer order from four furlongs out.
She was ridden to the front over a furlong from home, and soon went clear, keeping on well to score by four and a quarter lengths. Vastonea (7/2) filled the runner-up spot under Dylan Hogan for Kevin Prendergast, while the 3/1 favourite Castle Guest was a disappointing fifth with Conor McGovern aboard for Mick Halford.
The winning rider said afterwards: "Harry always pulls one out of the bag and his horses are in tremendous form.
"She just didn't run her race at Down Royal and Harry said to me before hand to just draw a line through that, she just didn't perform at all.
"Her Navan run was good, she won there. She had form around her and likes this track. The small field was ideal and it was a lovely prize to win with her.
"She just takes a little bit of time to come to hand, and it probably just took a few runs to put her right.
"She felt sharp today and that's what you need around here. I'd say Harry had his eye on this prize for a while.
"Her owners want to go to Galway with her for one of the races and why not. They are lovely people and I've ridden plenty of winners for them and Harry. They deserve all the luck they get.
"Hopefully she'll go and represent them well and give them a good day out in Galway."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards requested a report from H.Rogers, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Remarkable Lady, placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that his charge disappointed on its last start at Down Royal when failing to pick up off a slow pace. He added that his charge may have been unsuited by the very warm weather conditions on the day. He concluded by saying that today's fast racing pace helped his charge return to form on a track where the horse had previously run well. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy
