Chica Power (maroon and green) leads then home © Photo Healy Racing
The seven-furlong handicap for horses rated 45-65 saw 16/1 chance Chica Power record her first victory in the hands of Gavin Ryan.
The four-year-old daughter of Slade Power had managed only one placed effort from thirteen career starts prior to today. Having come down over 20lb in the ratings since first assessed, she raced in second until taking over in front early in the straight and had the race in safe keeping a furlong out.
Morning price mover Reverberation did good late work from off the pace but was half a length adrift of the winner at the line with Helen De Pourtales a further length and a quarter back in third.
Winning trainer Ciaran Murphy said: “She won a barrier trial here as a two-year-old and then didn’t really let herself down on the surface for a while after that.
“She’s been consistent her last few runs and it’s lovely to see her winning.
“She’ll go jumping over the summer and we’ll try and get another one with her here. She has a bit of size and strength.”
On weekend plans for some notable stable companions of the winner, Murphy added:
“Enjoy D’allen will probably run in the three miles handicap hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday.
“I’d imagine if he runs there then he won’t have another run before the National.
“We want to go to Sandown with Coastal World. He’s in the Grade 3 (Virgin Bet Heroes Handicap Hurdle) but it’s borderline that he gets in. If not he’ll go to Musselburgh on Sunday for the Pertemps Qualifier.
“They are both in good form and it’s an exciting weekend to have two nice horses running.
“We have 12 two-year-olds this year and a couple of nice three-year-olds. We are half and half between jumpers and Flat horses. We’ll be down in numbers but we are trying to improve quality. That’s the way we would like to go.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
