Johanna Whitty, right© Photo Healy Racing
A quick turnaround from the Curragh on Saturday proved no hindrance to Johanna Whitty in the concluding handicap over an extended mile and a-half at Gowran Park.
Declan McDonogh got her out well to lead, but she came under pressure over a quarter of a mile out. She was headed over a furlong out by Firebrand however, she availed of the rail to warm to her task.
She gamely fought back to regain the initiative inside the final furlong and was driven out to score by three-parts of a length at 11/2. Neptunes Staircase took second at 13/8 and was half a length ahead of Cut The Rope (18/1).
Jim Bolger said: “She needed to grow into herself. She had a blow out at the Curragh and stayed at it well today."
Johanna Whitty finished ninth on her seasonal reappearance in the Curragh.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
