Santa Rossa after her win at Limerick in March © Photo Healy Racing
Dual Irish Grand National-winning trainer Dermot McLoughlin sends Santa Rossa to Killarney today for the Listed Easyclean Tourist Attraction Mares Hurdle (3.00pm).
The daughter of Jeremy, morning favourite at a general price of 6/5 for the 2m1f contest, has won four of her eight starts including a Grade 2 bumper at Leopardstown in 2019. She has been very lightly-raced since then but reappeared, after a year on the sidelines, with a comfortable win at Limerick in March.
Stepped up to 2m4f in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last month, the eight-year-old chased home the consistent and versatile Darasso having run a bit freely for much of the way.
“She's in good form and she came out of the race well in Fairyhouse so we're expecting a big run,” said McLoughlin.
“Hopefully they go a good gallop, she needs to settle and didn't really settle the last time in Fairyhouse so we're hoping a good gallop over a shorter trip at Killarney will suit better.
"The ground (good, with watering continuing this morning) will be no problem, she won't mind that.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
