O'Connell off the mark on the level

She ran in Trevor Hemming's colours in her time but of course sprinting is not that owner's first love. On her fourth start for Eamonn O'Connell tonight, Sassaway shed her maiden tag at the 38th attempt when winning the New Look Tipperary Racecourse Handicap.

Fergal Lynch was aboard the now Liiimerick Syndicate-owned six-year-old and she got the better of Cookie Crumbles by a neck in this five furlong contest.

O'Connell remarked: "She's eventually got her head in front and that's my first flat winner. We'll try to find another race for her in a few weeks.

"She's owned by three of the Limerick hurlers - Shane Dowling, Gavin O'Mahony and Seanie Tobin.

"I have three or four horses to run for the summer and Powerstation will run at Kilbeggan soon. Hopefully we can get another win out of him." (TW & EM)