Holy Roman Empress got off the mark on her second handicap outing when running out a game winner of the feature event at Punchestown this afternoon.

The regally-bred Ballydoyle filly had shown promise when fourth twice last season but made little impression on her sole outing this term when beating one home on her handicap debut at Leopardstown back in mid-June.

She was prominent throughout in today's nine-furlong contest and Seamie Heffernan sent the 14/1 shot into the lead turning for home at the two furlong marker.

The daughter of American Pharoah and Group 1 winner Damson stuck on well in the closing stages to post a two-length win over Zofar Zogood

Heffernan said:- “She has a good attitude and was probably too big to make a two-year-old even though her form was good and it’s taken her a while to come to hand. 

“I think she can improve. I got her motivated and she hit the line well. 

“I wasn’t too worried about the ground as we have a few by American Pharoah and they seem to go on all sorts of ground.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)