Meitheal off the mark for Kielys

Meitheal (7/2) won a battle with Mummy Derry (10/11f) in the mares' bumper at Galway for John and Tommy Kiely's joint licence.

John Gleeson rode his mount after Meitheal racing to the final furlong and they headed that rival with 200 yards to race.

Newcomer Mummy Derry kept at it, but couldn't match Meitheal in the closing stages as the spoils were sealed by three-quarters of a length. Cailin Deas (20/1) was an eye-catching third. She lost her place on the inner approaching the home bend and then Alan O'Sullivan's saddle slipped in the final furlong as she was making headway in third.

John Kiely said: "That win was nice to get for her pedigree but more so for the Flynns, who are our longest-standing owners. They are with us since the 1960s with their first horse Shuil A Gra, who was a quality mare, and this mare is descended from her.

"She might go for a winners' bumper, but she will jump."

Meitheal was runner-up in her first two mares' bumpers at Wexford.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes