Barry Connell, Steven Clements, Rory Connell and Champayne Lady© Photo Healy Racing
There was a pretty impressive winner of the bumper at Kilbeggan as Champayne Lady put her stamp on the www.kilbegganraces.com (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race in no uncertain terms close home.
This was a pretty lively betting heat and the first and second favourites, Major Destination (2/1 from 3s) and Or Jaune De Somoza (11/4 into 9/4) were the subject of most of the bets.
They both had their chances but could do no better than third and fourth respectively as 8/1 chance Champayne Lady, in the hands of Steven Clements, came through after getting a patient steer to lead and assert from the furlong pole.
She had two and three parts of a length in hand over another mare, Emmas Dilemma at the finish.
"She picked up nicely and she's done it great," said winning trainer Alan Fleming.
"She had a couple of good runs around Leopardstown so she's probably entitled to come here and do that.
"You can never be sure and there was a lot of talking horses in the race so we're very happy.
"She's Barry's son Rory's first winner as an owner and I think he's going to have lots of fun with her during the summer. She's a right one for him.
"I'm not sure where she'll go yet, we'll see how she is and what happens."
(GC & EM)
