In-form Delias Pet defied the 7lb penalty to strike in division one of the mares' handicap hurdle in Gowran Park.

The 7/2 joint favourite travelled sweetly under David Doyle as the pair loomed large in contention before two out.

She was still swinging away as she picked up the lead between the final two flights. The nine-year-old mare jumped the last with an advantage of a couple of lengths and kept on best to beat Ardfert Mary (8/1) by two and three-quarter lengths. Jetaway To Getaway completed the placings a further nine lengths back at 8/1.

Tim Doyle said: “She travelled very well through the race, I was delighted with everything, but she just had a cut at the second last and was lucky to get away with that.

“Her confidence is up now and that's all she needs, she has the ability.

“Eighty one was a good mark for her, in fairness, but her form was poor, for no other reason than she lacked confidence. Her jumping wasn't up to scratch.

“The last day did her the world of good and she was better again today. Once she gets into a rhythm, she's a nice mare.

“This is a local track and we get a good kick out of it.

“She's well handicapped over fences. She ran in four point-to-points and had one run over fences but her jumping wasn't good enough. Maybe that will give her confidence.

“That was great and it's great to have the ground the way it is, she won't go on winter ground.

“She's entered in Thurles but we'll hardly run now.”

Delias Pet won at Fairyhouse on Tuesday to earn the 7lb mandatory penalty.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson