Lavery strikes with first runner at Galway

Romiac powered clear in the closing stages to run out a cosy winner of the Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap at Galway.

Leigh Roche held his mount up in the early stages of the seven-furlong contest after breaking from the widest stall in 15.

He made up ground smoothly before the straight and hit the front on the turn for home.

Sheila Lavery's charge, sent to post a 16/1 shot, kept on well for Roche in the closing stages to post a three-and-three-quarter length victory over 13/8 favourite, and long time leader, Tadaany

The winner was returning to handicap company having finished fifth in a Curragh maiden last month. All his previous starts had been over six furlongs.

It was a first ever runner at the festival for the winning trainer and she said:-

"The last time Pat Smullen rode him and he said to step him up in distance and put blinkers on, so that's what we've done.

"I had been running him over too short distances and on fast ground but the bit of juice today helped and the blinkers worked the oracle.

"The horses have been running well. The last four horses have been second so now finally I've got a one.

"Leigh was third on him in Naas so he knew the horse."

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)