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The Dotski enjoys extra yardage in Ballinrobe

The Dotski, centre, about to touch down into the lead on the run-inThe Dotski, centre, about to touch down into the lead on the run-in
© Healy Racing Photos

Sent off third choice in the market at 9/2, The Dotski got to grips with longtime leader Brave Lady to win going away in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe.

Mike O'Connor had his mount tracking Brave Lady and brought her with a challenge over the final flight.

She touched down into a narrow lead and began to increase the margin straightening for home. The 9/2 shot was strong in the final furlong as she opened up by four and a half lengths over the 4/1 runner-up. There was a further gap of two lengths back to 6/5 favourite Ronnie's Rascal .

The Dotski had finished fifth in Fairyhouse and fourth at Navan in her first two outings. She was up in trip to an extended 2m2f today.

Robbie Power, representing winning trainer Henry De Bromhead, said: "She's a good-looking mare and her last couple of runs, on heavier ground, had been encouraging.

"She's probably strengthened up a little bit for her break.

"Mikey got her into a nice rhythm, she jumped and travelled super all the way. He said the further she went, the better she was going and she is a mare that will probably appreciate a bit further.

"Mikey's a very solid rider. He works very, very hard, he's in every day and when he gets his opportunities, he takes them."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.