Country collects with fine front-running performance

The Willie McCreery-trained Mother Country stuck her head out in the closing stages to make all in the three-year-old handicap at Gowran Park.

Billy Lee soon bagged the lead on the Godolphin filly in the seven-furlong contest and she kicked a couple of lengths clear passing the two pole.

The well backed 11/4 favourite Yermanthere (12/1 in morning) finished off well to throw down a strong challenge inside the final furlong but couldn't find a way past Mother Country, who recorded a half length win.

The 6/1 winner had won her maiden at Naas in June but made little impression on her handicap debut at Galway last time when Lee had reported that she 'got no run'.

McCreery said:- “She won in Naas and then got no run really in Galway. It’s nice to get back into another three-year-old only handicap and she did it well from the front.

“She was nice and positive and will get a stiff seven or a mile.

“We’ll try and get some black type with her now.

“Billy thought she was idling in front and would love to get a lead with her again. She jumped so smartly that he wasn’t going to take her back and everything worked out.”

Luke McAteer, on the runner-up Yermanthere, carried 2lb overweight in the race.

(Quotes by Alan Magee)