Harriet Eagle makes winning return for Flynn

Harriet Eagle overcame uninspiring form figures and a 232-day layoff when landing Gowran's Lyrath Estate & MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre Ladies Day Handicap (Div II) today, for trainer Pat Flynn and jockey Bill Lee.

Unplaced in four previous handicap runs and carrying form figures of '0658800', the four-year-old filly was today supported from morning 25/1 and returned 14s, and in the race, raced prominently and held runner-up Share The Treasure by a half-length.

The winner is jointly-owned by Flynn and Gavin O'Mahoney and the trainer said “she's given us a few problems with her hind and has gone a bit stiff at times so we had masseurs in rubbing her. I said to Billy (Lee) that she's as fit as a flea and to have her as prominent as you like and that she should run a good race.

“She should improve from that again hopefully. She's a nice well-bred filly and is by Free Eagle, one of my favourite sires. She should win again, hopefully.

“I was delighted because we had hard luck in the last race where the horse (runner-up Shaaden sat in the stalls a bit and was only beaten half a length.”

Quotes from Gary Carson