Placere with winning owner Penelope McCauley and winning rider David Parkes© Photo Healy Racing
Placere landed a gamble as she took the Greenmount Apprentice Handicap for her trainer Dick Brabazon with seven pound claimer David Parkes in the saddle.
The 4yo daughter of Choisir had five runs to her name before today and ran well last time out on her handicap debut to finish three and a half lengths fourth to Scots Gaelic at Fairyhouse earlier this month.
Having her second start in handicap company today she was 6/1 this morning with Paddy Powers before opening on track at 10/3. She touched 7/2 but was backed into 9/4 favourite at the off.
After settling in mid-division she improved into fourth before the straight and challenged under pressure on the inside under two furlongs from home.
She hit the front a furlong out and stayed on well from there to draw clear inside the final furlong and score comfortably by three and three parts of a length.
The Arthur Moore trained Positive Vibes finished second at 20/1 under Charlie Elliott while Catch Light stayed on well to finish a further three lengths back in third at 14/1 under Megan Carberry for Pat Flynn.
Winning trainer Dick Brabazon said afterwards: "She is no champion but is game as hell and is a real tryer.
"Her dam (Puppet Play) ran 59 times and won seven so hopefully there is more mileage in her.
"I’m delighted for her owners who have been very patient and are finally getting a bit of luck. We won’t be going for any blacktype with her just yet!
"Her owner Penelope McCauley is a former International Showjumper."
The winner is a half-sister to stable mate Korbous who won on his debut at Gowran last month when sent off at 20/1.
Donal Murphy & Thomas Weekes
