Lady a class act in Tipperary opener

Lady Tilbury justified her short price when getting on top in the closing stages of the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Tipperary this afternoon.

The David Marnane-trained filly was taking a drop in grade having contested stakes races on her four starts this term, most recently when fifth to Commanche Falls in listed company at the Curragh on Sunday.

Ronan Whelan sat behind the leaders on the 8/11 shot in today's five furlong contest and had to switch out a furlong-and-a-half from home to get a run.

She chased down Harmony Rose inside the final furlong, getting to the front in the final 100 yards to record a cosy half length win.

Marnane said afterwards:- "It was a call whether or not to run her back quick or not but I felt Ronan was right at the Curragh when he felt the ground was too quick for her. She travelled really well in that race and flattened out.

"As a two year old she was hitting flat patches but is now doing the opposite and travelled too well to halfway the last day.

"She is in the Sapphire Stakes and while she'll be up against it, I wanted to bring her here to see what she would be like at five (furlongs). She is definitely travelling well much better now and is getting quicker.

"I'd also love to see her run in England in a hard-run five (furlongs) sprint.

"She is doing fantastic, cost 18,000 guineas, is a three-year-old who has done a lot and is going to get better."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)