Lupini enjoys brace of winners through Alba Chiara Alba Chiara relished a step up in trip to an extended two-and-a-quarter miles in the Ulster Cesarewitch at Down Royal. The 18/1 shot dwelt in the gates and raced in rear before making headway three furlongs out. Wayne Hassett guided her to the front a furlong out and she held the fast-finishing 5/4 favourite Billie Frechette by half a length. The runner-up suffered a less-than-clear route in the straight, but was flying at the finish. Sign From Above (6/1) also came home well in third. Alba Chiara gave Natalia Lupin a brace of winners on the card following on from Eleven A's success in the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden at 3/1. Lupini said: "The pedigree suggested the step up in trip. We took our time with her. "The last time in Ballinrobe we just have to draw a line through that race - nothing worked out for her and she didn't handle the track. "She obviously likes a good galloping track, so we thought we would take the chance and try to step her up now. "She is going to be a staying mare and she is going to improve again from three to four. The pedigree suggests she stays. "She was a big filly all along and we had to take our time with her. We think she is going to be a nice filly. "The idea is, if we don't sell her, to keep her in training. Hopefully, that will open up a window for the jumping. We were considering to go to Newmarket Sales or the mares' sales in November with her. We will see how that goes, if there is any interest."
