Gra puts Killarney nightmare behind her

Gra Geal Mo Chroi got no run whatsoever in the straight at Killarney last week but she put memories of that into the shade with a good success in the concluding Mayo Advertiser Handicap at Ballinrobe.

Martin Harley was up on this occasion and he was smoothly taken into contention by the daughter of Imperial Ballet and when he asked her to lead over a furlong out the result was soon beyond doubt. Despite jinking right inside the last, the victorious 11/4 joint favourite (from 6s this morning) went on to score by three and a half lengths from the staying-on Makhaaleb The other market-leader, Philosophers Guest (bits of 7 into 11/4) made the running but yielded over a furlong out and eventually had to settle for fourth.

Winning trainer, Austin Leahy said: "The ground suited and the 5Ib claim was a help."