18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Sassy Diva bosses them in Wexford

Sassy Diva, right, wins nicely in WexfordSassy Diva, right, wins nicely in Wexford
© Photo Healy Racing

Sassy Diva landed plenty of bets when comfortably taking the mares' bumper in Wexford.

Her last appearance saw her finish down the field in a Grade Two mares' bumper at Aintree in April.

Before that she was runner-up to ill-fated Fayonagh in a Listed mares' bumper at Fairyhouse in February.

She made no mistake in this drop in class as she raced clear with Best Of Dubai in the final quarter of a mile.

Jockey Paul Bannon didn't have to get serious with her as she put the race away inside the final furlong.

The favourite came in at 5/4 with Best Of Dubai three and three quarter lengths behind at 2/1. Moyhenna was best of the rest in third at 8/1, some 12 lengths adrift.

Trainer Shane Crawley said: "She has been in hot company. It's lovely to get off the mark on her first run of the season. She will probably go hurdling now straightaway.

"She just wasn't at the races at all at Aintree last season. Maybe she didn't travel over well, maybe it was the ground, I just don't know.

"Paul Bannon has done a lot work with her and he gave her a lovely ride. He took seven off and it was a big help.

"She should come out of the race well. Even though she has plenty of runs, she will have learned a bit today.

"She has three bits of black-type already and that eases the pressure. Her full-brother is in at the sales next month at Tattersalls."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.