First winner on the Flat for James Dullea

Runner-up to a classic winner on her debut in 2019, Indian Lilac (28/1, having been nibbled at from 50s this morning) took the Glenageary Handicap (50-70) (Div I).

In a steadily-run affair, Seamie Heffernan was handy throughout on the Excelebration filly and she battled on well to get the better of the front-running Everyhouronthehour (28/1) by half a length.

It was the same margin back to the 4/1 favourite Oneiroi who kept on well, having been held up in rear, to finish third.

Formerly with Joe Murphy, Indian Lilac bumped into none other than subsequent Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Peaceful at Thurles on her first start, before being unplaced in three subsequent outings.

Winning trainer James Dullea, who made the long journey up from Bandon, Co. Cork, said: “That was great. The owner (Alfred Sweetnam) kindly sent her to us, she was a nice filly from the word go and her first run was a very good run.

“We have her a few months and she's done everything right. I thought Seamie gave her a great ride.

“Hopefully there is more to come from her, it's her first run in a while so she might improve and go on again.

“We'll see what way she comes out of it and what the handicapper has to say about it.

“That's my first Flat winner. I'm seven or eight years coming up here with jumpers and if I kissed them they wouldn't win around here! That's our first Flat runner here and it wins.”

Quotes from Gary Carson