Granny up to the task at first time of asking

Clipped in from some fancy offers when the firms went up on the Best Of Luck Kilkenny This Sunday Fillies Maiden, Granny May (12/1) justified the confidence of her backers when scoring on debut at Gowran.

Gary Halpin partnered the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor for Johnny Feane, and though dwelling at the stalls she was soon racing in mid-division.

Halpin brought her through on the inner to deliver her run in the final quarter mile, and she eventually touched off Bairns At Bay by a nose, with Aunt Sally just a neck back in third.

"I was confident (that he'd got there). Her best work was late on and if I hadn't got there she'd have been an unlucky loser," reported Halpin.

"I spoke to John last night - he's away at Doncaster now at the sales - but he was plenty bullish about her.

"He said they liked her at home, and that her work was good and consistent, so a nice run was expected today."

(AM & EM)