Five-year-old Princess Nala made an outstanding performance in the Listed Lenebane Stakes at Roscommon. Rory Cleary changed tactics on the mare and soon in the race managed to get an advantage. Although Princess Nala seemed a little bit tired during the final stages, she was still able to cross the line eight lengths from Blackberry Boy.

“Rory gave her a great ride. She loves that ground and we knew she would stay,” owner Mick Halford said after the race. “We thought the best place for her was out in front as she hasn't been having much luck in running lately.”

Halford’s filly ran on extremely testing ground but showed she was up to the challenge, despite been 3-1 before the race and 10-1 in the morning. Dermot Weld’s Blackberry Boy, under Pat Smullen, ended up in second place while favorite Arch Rebel got a third place for owners Michael Kinane and Noel Meade.

According to Halford, the Challenge Stakes at Leopardstown is likely to be the next step in the mare’s career.