Pat Flynn was delighted to see Sleepy Head overcome her aversion to the starting stalls when she claimed the mile handicap at Gowran this afternoon.

Pat Smullen produced the 6/1 shot to lead a furlong-and-a-half from home and she stuck on well in the closing stages to record a length-and-a-quarter success. Annie Irish ran on to claim the second close home from Bo Bridget

The winner had been withdrawn in Cork in mid-June after refusing to load and was making her first start since.

“That's great. She can just be a bit messy at the start. She didn't go in the last day and we've done a lot of work with her at home,” said Flynn.

“Pat said she was a little bit iffy today but she went in and she relaxed inside. She's a nice filly but she just takes a bit of gentle handling.

“She didn't mind the ground at all. That's my 751th winner and Pat has now gone one in the lead (in jockey's championship).

“It's a good tonic for Bill (Foley) as well. He has a good few horses in training and is a great man.

“I'd say she'll run on the grass again next time and then she might go to Dundalk. It's just a case of keeping her nice and relaxed.”