Lilly makes all and wins easily

The well-backed Lilly The Lioness ran out an easy winner of the Packie Downey Handicap Chase, scoring under Brian O’Connell for trainer Garrett Power.

The seven-year-old daughter of Welsh Lion won a handicap on the level by seven lengths over the course on her penultimate start, and she was since beaten by just half a length again on the level at Killarney on Monday last.

Back over fences today for the first time since last October she was sent off a 4/1 chance having opened at 6's on-course.

She made every inch of the running and when ridden after the second last she kept on well, scoring easily by thirteen lengths at the line. Worldor finished back in second at 13/2 under Davy Russell for Henry De Bromhead while Limpopo Tom was a further six lengths back in third under Kevin Sexton for Paul Flynn at 14/1. Pat Garrett was sent off the 11/4 favourite (backed from 7/2 on-course) but he disappointingly pulled up before the third last under Barry Geraghty for Noel Meade.

Garrett Power, who trains in Windgap, Co Kilkenny, said afterwards: “She jumps very well. She is better going left-handed although she could go to Galway.

"She is well handicapped even though she got ten pounds for winning (on the level). Her owner is Pat McCarthy and he is from Cork."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes