Valbucca on her way to victory under Wayne Lordan© Photo Healy Racing
Valbucca made a successful return to action as she took the Club Bar Bistro at Keadeen Hotel Handicap under Wayne Lordan for trainer Willie McCreery.
The six-year-old daughter of Val Royal was last seen winning at Navan in October when sent off the 4/1 joint favourite and making her seasonal debut this afternoon she was sent off at the big odds of 16/1 (11/1 this morning and 14/1 out to 16/1 on-course).
The bay filly hit the front at the two furlong pole and she stuck to her task well coming home three parts of a length to the good from The Fox Tully (7/1) in second under Colin Keane for his father Ger. Coco Bella was a further half a length back in third under Ben Curtis for Paul Deegan at 25/1 while the 4/1 favourite (from 5/1 on-course), Benbecula could only manage a disappointing sixth under Johnny Murtagh for Tommy Carmody.
Willie McCreery said afterwards; "I thought the ground might be a bit dead for her but she is an honest filly. She will go for a fillies handicap next at Navan on the 19th (of May).
"Pat (owner/breeder Peat Cosgrove) actually bought her as a companion for another horse he has with me, Kanes Pass."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
