Ivana leads home her rivals under Patrick Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Newcomer Ivana rounded off a brilliant evening for favourite backers at Limerick, as she ran out an easy winner of the concluding Regeneron Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race.
Completing a double for Willie and Patrick Mullins, the No Risk At All chestnut was sent off the clear market leader at 11/10.
Settled in mid-division, the French bred five-year-old took closer order with half a mile left to race and was angled out to challenge upon entering the straight.
She cruised through to lead over a furlong and a half from home and in the colours of Knockeen Stables Ltd, she had five-and-a-half lengths to spare at the line.
Point-to-point winner Ma Bess (9/1) finished a gallant second under Johnny Barry for Terence O'Brien, while the Jessica Harrington-trained Jekiki (10/1) was another two-and-three-parts of a length away in third.
"She reared over in the yard last year and fractured her pelvis when a couple of weeks off a first run," the winning rider explained.
"Her owner John Duggan has been very patient, she has a lovely French pedigree and is by No Risk At All.
"She is not the biggest and went down to the start quite keen so I dropped her in further than I wanted, but she settled great and won very easy.
"I'll see what Willie wants to do, she is five and sometimes he likes to get on and go hurdling but I'll be hoping for a winners' bumper. I'd imagine she could also go for a Flat maiden."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident turning into the straight involving Ivana (FR), ridden by Mr P.W. Mullins, placed first, and Ma Bess, ridden by Mr J.C. Barry, placed second, where it appeared Ma Bess received a bump. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
Mr J.C. Barry, rider of Ma Bess, trained by Terence O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left in the straight.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
