Vintage Nouveau and Pat Smullen come home in front of Tarana and Declan McDonogh (green)© Photo Healy Racing
The Dermot Weld Vintage Nouveau got back to winning ways as she took the Listed Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Listowel Stakes.
The three-year-old daughter of Montjeu won her maiden on her second start at Clonmel in May before following up in the Ulster Oaks at Down Royal the next month.
She was beaten into third in the Kingdom Gold Cup at Killarney on her last start when sent off the 11/4 favourite.
Available at 9/2 overnight, she opened on-course at just 7/2, touching 10/3 before going off a 3/1 chance.
Settled in third by Pat Smullen she improved into second three furlongs from home and was pushed along to challenge as they entered the straight.
She hit the front a furlong and a half out and despite drifting towards the rail inside the final furlong she kept on well to score by half a length.
The John Oxx trained Tarana (6/4fav), who was carrying almost a stone more than the winner, kept on well inside the final furlong but she ultimately had to settle for second under Declan McDonogh. Drifting Mist (20/1), who attempted to make all, ran a fine race to finish third, a further three lengths back under Shane Foley for Mick Halford.
Pat Smullen said afterwards: "She is an improving filly. The conditions of the race suited her receiving all the allowances. She showed a bit of inexperience inside the last half-furlong where she lay up onto the fence.
"She's improving and I think she can get better. Hopefully she will stay in training next year, and it's great for the family to get black type."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
