Dixie Lee came with a well-timed surge to land the concluding mares bumper at Down Royal this afternoon. Sunset Marquis cut out the early running in the two-miler before Howwouldsheno passed her out after a couple of furlongs.

Sunset Marquis reclaimed the lead three furlongs from home and looked to have things in control passing the two pole.

Mark O'Hare got a good tune from 5/4 favourite Dixie Lee inside the final furlong, however, and Dermot McLoughlin's mare got on top in the last 50 yards for a length-and-a-half success.

McLoughlin said: "She wants a bit of nice ground. She has run some nice races.

“Mark said she travelled well and quickened up nicely. She wants top of the ground."

"She could go for the mares race at Liverpool."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)