Maud Gonne Spirit treads softly to success

The Jessica Harrington-trained Maud Gonne Spirit landed the Galwaybayhotel.com & Galmont.com Handicap at odds of 18/1 under Shane Foley.

The daughter of Intello, twice a winner on testing ground at Gowran Park last year, was dropped out in the early stages and began her move racing out of the dip.

Fifth turning into the straight, the gaps opened nicely for Foley’s mount and he drove her to the front in the final 50 yards to deny Turbine and young 10lb claimer Daniel King (10/1) by half a length.

It was certainly a good race for winning owner Olivia Hoare, also part-owner of the 4/1 favourite High Altitude who finished just a further neck away in third.

Foley said: “She has frustrated us up until now, we were baffled by her runs compared to her work and we fancied her once or twice but she ran bad.

"I couldn't have got a nicer run through and it is nice to get a winner for Olivia (Hoare) again and the handicapper gave her a chance so it all helped.

"We went good and fast and the rain has come - it is yielding to soft and once we open it up it will gradually get softer."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes