Crystal Earth comes home an easy winner under Ronan Whelan© Photo Healy Racing
After finishing second on her last two starts, Crystal Earth gained a deserved victory in the Ballinrobe Racecourse Of The Year Handicap, landing the spoils under Ronan Whelan for Peter Fahey.
Winner of a bumper at Wexford last July, the six-year-old daughter of Muhtarram has been performing on the level since.
After four disappointing efforts in maidens, she slipped up on handicap debut at Bellewstown, before finishing second to Beau Michael in the Fegentri lady riders race at the Curragh last month.
She again finished in the runner-up spot, a half a length behind Sheilas Wish at Cork last week, and she was sent off a 7/2 chance to go one place better this evening (opened on-course at 4/1).
Fifth at the halfway stage, she made good headway to lead approaching the straight, asserting from a furlong out and staying on strongly in the closing stages to win easily by four and a half lengths.
Recent course and distance winner Sian went off the gambled on 11/4 favourite, after opening on-course at 5/1.
The Prunella Dobbs trained filly hit the front around three furlongs out, but she had no answer when headed by the winner and she had to settle for second under Shane Foley.
There was a three way go for third, with Pirate Chest (16/1), for Eoin Griffin and Chris Hayes, just taking that position, two and a half lengths behind the runner-up.
Peter Fahey said afterwards: "She is a consistent little filly and while I was disappointed that she got five pounds for her last run, the handicapper was proved right today.
"She is in again at Tramore on Thursday in a two mile handicap, and she is more than likely to go there as she wants this ground and likes tight tracks.
"She is owned by Gilbert de Meester, and she is the first horse he has with me. She has now won a bumper and a flat race for him."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
