On his first time aboard six-year-old mare Lady Savanah Andrew Slattery delivered in division one of the Leopardstown Handicap.

Tom McCourt ’s charge was shedding her maiden tag at the 17th time of asking, finishing off best to gain an important win for owner/breeder Oliver Curtis.

Some big priced runners made the frame in this large field mile contest. Descendant took the silver medal at 100/1. In fourth spot then was Maggie Thunder at 50/1.

There should be more wins in the 22/1 victor, given her convincing length and a half margin of superiority.

Joint champion apprentice last year, Slattery judged this to a nicety and McCourt remarked afterwards: “She did it well and she's maybe a bit better fresh.

“I wasn't sure whether she'd handle that ground as it was fairly soft at the Curragh (when she was second).

“Her dam won three around here so obviously the track suits her too. We'll keep her fresh now and look for something similar.

“I'd say she goes on anything bar the all-weather, she definitely doesn't handle that. We ran her a couple of times at Dundalk and she didn't handle it.”

G.F. Carroll, rider of Lady Arona trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount clipped a heel about 5 furlongs from home.

(GC & EM)