Dazzling Spirit (Jamie Powell) leads Cursory Exam© Photo Healy Racing
Slow-starter Dazzling Spirit (7/2f) arrived from off the pace to win Clonmel's St. Patrick's Well Handicap today, with Jamie Powell's ride being described as “particularly good” by successful trainer Tom Mullins.
The 46-rated Fulbright filly had failed 14 times previously, was slowly into stride and met early interference but made gains rounding the final bend. Dazzling Spirit led inside the final furlong and beat Cursory Exam by two-and-a-quarter lengths - the same margin of victory recorded for three of today's opening five races.
Mullins mentioned “she’s on a bottom-of-the-barrel mark and I thought if she got good ground instead of good to firm, that she might win.
“She’s not great in the gates and came out slow. We have to hold her in the stalls as she ducks her head, and when she came out slow I thought 'that’s it' as none of the winners today were coming from behind.
“Jamie was very good on her. He got the gaps up the rail and it was a particularly good ride.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
