Starspangledbanner Filly Goes One Better In Leopardstown Maiden

Corporal Violette (3f Starspangledbanner - Diptych, by Hat Trick) proved she had retained the ability shown as a two-year-old when making a winning return in Sunday’s seven furlong maiden at Leopardstown.

The Ger Lyons-trained filly finished a close second on both her juvenile starts and was sent off favourite to make it third time lucky on her first start since October. She chased the leaders for much of the way under Colin Keane, who pushed her to lead a furlong from home and was ridden out to prevail by a head on the line.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “She won the race by pure ability and the further she went, the better she was. I'd say there is a lot of improvement in her as she's very much a work in progress.”

Owned by Gaynor Bloodstock LLC, Corporal Violette was bred by Jerh and Eileen Murphy. She continues a terrific start to the season for Starspangledbanner, whose son State Of Rest recently recorded his third Group 1 success, while juvenile Breege booked her ticket to Royal Ascot with a five length debut win earlier this week.