Grey Waters, near side, in action at Roscommon© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien's Grey Waters landed a punt in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Steeplechase at Roscommon.
From as big as 7/1 in the morning, the grey mare went off 3/1 favourite.
It has been a while between drinks for her as her last success came in a flat handicap at Kempton in November 2017.
You couldn't have called her an obvious winner turning for home, though, as she was niggled along in fifth by JJ Slevin.
She was ridden before the third last and then made headway to close at the penultimate fence.
She took over from Presentingprincess on the run to the last and toughed it out well on the run-in as easy-to-back Darling Miss (7/2) stayed on.
There was two and a quarter lengths between the pair at the line. Presentingprincess (9/2) dropped to third, a further four lengths away.
Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “She stopped quickly the other day on the Flat at Galway.
“She had a pop yesterday morning and she jumped well. She put down at the ditch both times today and JJ did well to sit on her.
“She stays well and will probably end up staying three miles. JJ said turning in he always knew that he was going to get there and she had her ears pricked.
“She’s had headgear and tongue straps on but nothing on her today. Horses are weird animals, and after being so disappointing at Galway she’s gone and won today, so they are all happy.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
