Penny Jane and Davy Russell pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Penny Jane got a deserved win over fences to her name, as she took the opener at the Sligo, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase, in convincing style.
Placed on her first three starts over fences, the Gordon Elliott trained five-year-old was expected to get her head in front this afternoon.
As short as 4/7 in early shows, the daughter of King's Theatre opened on-course at 5/4, touching 11/8, before going off the 11/10 market leader.
Slightly hampered at the first, the Paul and Clare Rooney owned victor raced mainly in third under Davy Russell.
She improved to lead from two out, and soon had things under control, going on to score comfortably by seven lengths. Golden Flowerpower who came in for plenty of early support before drifting on track, finished second under Mark Walsh for Colin Bowe.
The point-to-point winner was as big as 11/2 in early shows, but opened on-course at just 7/4 before going off a 2/1 chance.
Ian Amond, Elliott's assistant trainer, said afterwards: "Davy said she actually loved the ground and I'm sure the others hated it. She deserved that and hopefully she can win another one."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
