Delvino built on a promising debut second placing at Navan in the middle of last month to justify odds-on favouritism in the Johnston Houston Mares INH Flat Race at Down Royal.

Mark O’Hare rode for Northern owner/breeders, Pat and Tilly Conway, and this promising daughter of Dylan Thomas is trained by Dermot McLoughlin.

Here the 4/5 shot raced in mid-division, and she was sixth at the halfway stage.

She made progress to close up behind the leaders six furlongs out, before challenging three furlongs out.

Soon on terms Delvino was ridden to lead a furlong and a half out, keeping on well in the final furlong to defeat Sit Down Lucy by four and a half lengths.

"She's a big mare, I'd say there is just a bit of furnishing to do yet,” said McLoughlin.

"Mark (O'Hare) said it was a messy enough race, they went a good gallop but if he was to ride her again he would give her a bit more cover.

"It turned into a bit of a sprint even though the ground was bad.

"He said he liked her - she travels and she is sweet.

"We'll wait and see what the ground does, she wouldn't want it any better than good to yielding anyway.

"She's a big, lump of a mare and is growing.

"I'm very happy with her and she is a good, strong mare."

(MG & EM)