Trainer Liz Doyle is enjoying her best season to date after the victory of La Bella Vida in the opener at Thurles this afternoon.

The County Wexford-based handler moved on to 17 winners for the season after a convincing success for the 100/30 shot.

JJ Slevin hit the front four from home on the Westerner mare and she skipped clear after the second last flight. Tikken Away ran on to take second but could only get within six lengths.

La Bella Vida had been a well held third on her previous visit to the course last month in a bumper on heavy ground.

"Her hurdles form here was good but she was stuck in the mud the last day and he (J.J. Slevin) said the ground is nearly yielding out there today,” said Doyle.

"With her hurdles form and getting all the allowances, she had to have a really good chance and he gave her a beautiful ride.

"We'll keep her going for the summer and see what mark she gets - there's a 2m2f handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival which is something to aim at."

(Thomas Weekes)