Mojito Royale and Sarah O'Brien (right) hold off Akinspirit and Maxine O'Sullivan© Photo Healy Racing
Sarah O’Brien recorded her first outside (not trained by her father Aidan) winner on her first outside ride as she partnered the Eoin Doyle trained Mojito Royale to victory in the Follow Tipp On Facebook Lady Riders Handicap.
The ten-year-old son of Val Royal was sent off at 9/1 after finishing a decent fifth behind Ridestan at Galway last week.
Settled in second he improved to dispute before the straight and once ridden from two furlongs out he soon hit the front. Akinspirit threw down a strong challenge from over a furlong out but the winner battle gamely under pressure and went on to score by half a length.
The aforementioned Akinspirit had to settle for second at 16/1 under Maxine O’Sullivan for Michael Butler while Mahrajaan was a further three parts of a length back in third under Katie Harrington for Charles Byrnes at 5/1 (from 6’s on-course) Lilly The Lioness was sent off the 9/4 favourite but she had no more to offer once headed in the straight and she finished fifth under Katie O’Farrell for Garrett Power.
Eoin Doyle said afterwards: “Sarah gave him a good ride. He was a bit handier than we had planned but he was very fresh. He was very unlucky at Galway where he ran a blinder. He was back to a winnable mark and he battled well.
"He has been a great servant (ninth win) and he will go for another handicap now. I don’t think he will go to Tramore. Danny Grant said he didn’t come down the hill at Galway and I don’t think it will suit him at Tramore."
When asked about his team for Tramore Doyle added: “We are throwing the kitchen sink at it!"
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
