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Donal Murphy
Variable impresses in the Finale
Variable comes home a comfortable winner under Pat Smullen
© Photo Healy Racing
After disappointing at Naas on her last start Variable (first time hood) bounced back to form to land the Listed Go Racing In Kildare Finale Stakes in convincing fashion.
The Dermot Weld trained daughter of Sea The Stars impressed when winning her maiden at Cork in May.
She was sent off the even money favourite in the Oaks Trial at Naas on her next start but could only manage fourth there in the race won by Outstanding.
Given a break since that defeat and stepped back up to a mile and a half she went off a 5/2 chance this afternoon in the colours of Khalid Abdullah.
Settled in rear she made her move as they entered the straight and eased to the front from the two furlong pole.
She was pushed out from the furlong pole and came home with three lengths to spare over the 2/1 favourite (9/2 last night and from 5/2 on-course) Ebaya.
The front two went five and a half lengths clear of Sea Moon in third while Morning Mix was a disappointing fourth.
Dermot Weld said afterwards: "She did it the way we expected. I'll speak to Lord Grimthorpe and suggest she is kept in training next year.
"I was very impressed by the way she won and Pat was very pleased. She's an immature filly.
"She was very sore after the Oaks Trial in Naas, and the ground that day was firm. We took our time with her, and she was working exceptionally well."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee