Members of the Defence Forces present Billy Lee with his prize© Photo Healy Racing
The well-backed Fort Del Oro recorded her biggest win to date as she landed the Listed Waterford Testimonial Stakes For The Defence Forces Cup.
The Eddie Lynam trained daughter of Lope De Vega finished second on her debut over the course and distance in May before winning on her next start again over the course and distance in June.
She was then third in the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes before finishing second on her most recent outing in the a Listed contest at York last month.
Available at 11/2 last night she opened on-course at just 9/2 before going off the 3/1 second favourite under Billy Lee.
Settled behind the leaders she was sixth three furlongs out before improving to challenge on the outer with two furlongs to go.
She was ridden to lead with over a furlong to race and she kept on well in the closing stages to see off the challenge of The Happy Prince by a length and a half.
The runner-up was returned a 4/1 chance under Ryan Moore for Aidan O'Brien.
Lynam also saddled Gathering Power (16/1) who completed the placings a further three and a half lengths back in third under Chris Hayes. Toscanini was sent off the 13/8 favourite and he finished fourth under William Buick for Mick Halford.
Lynam, who was winning this race for the third year in-a-row, said afterwards: "This has been a lucky race for me.
"She did it well and will have an entry next week in the big sprint at Ascot. If she is jumping out of her skin we will probably let her take her chance.
"She's a good filly and I think she will improve from three to four. She'll get seven furlongs.
"I've been waiting all year on soft ground for Gathering Power. He could run at Ascot. It's soft there at the moment, and soft ground can bring horses together."
STEWARDS REPORT
Sabrina J. Harty, trainer of Have A Nice Day (GB), reported to the Clerk of Scales that her charge was found to be coughing post race.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
