Mills canters home on Hills

Alice Mills showed a cool head to guide Wither Hills to an easy victory in the Longines World Fegentri Championship For Lady Riders Handicap at the Curragh.

The English amateur got a lovely run up the rail to lead entering the straight on her mount and he never came off the bridle to score by seven lengths from last year's winner Beau Michael

It was a second win from three starts on the Flat for Brian Hamilton's gelding and Galway is now on the agenda.

“It's a bit of shock to the system as I'm used to tramping around in the mud at point-to-points. He's the only horse I've ever run on the Flat,” said Hamilton.

“I suppose we'll have to have a look at the GPT (now Connacht Hotel QR Handicap) depending on what the handicapper does. There is also another race at Galway for him and hopefully we'll run there.

“He has an issue jumping hurdles with kissing spines which aggravates him so it was a last ditch thing to run on the Flat and it's working out.

“He's never run on ground as fast as that before as he's just never encountered it before but it was good safe ground with a print in it.

“She gave him a lovely ride and did exactly what she was told. You're always a bit concerned in these races as you never know what jockey you are getting – it's a bit pot luck.”