Royal Eagle swoops for her sixth career success

Royal Eagle (4/1f) surged home to nail No Niki No at the end of a mile and five furlongs in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap at Ballinrobe.

It couldn't be said that Royal Eagle travelled throughout, however, she was there when Keithen Kennedy needed her.

The duo had plenty on their plate in fifth a furlong down, but made up a lot of ground to foil No Niki No (22/1) by half a length for Gordon Elliott, and owners David Monaghan, Adam Lord and Paddy Monaghan. No Hassle took third at 15/2, beaten a length and three-parts by the winner.

Kennedy said: "It was her first run back on the Flat for a while. She winged the gates for me, but was just a little bit outpaced early on.

"I just left her alone, got into a nice rhythm and she picked up and did it nicely.

"I'm finished the Leaving Cert now, things are going well on the track and hopefully they keep going that way."

Royal Eagle now has four victories over flights and two on the Flat.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan