Second success for Shelly Banks

Shelly Banks registered a second success today, adding the TipperaryRacecourse.ie Handicap to a Curragh win last June, for trainer Eamonn O'Connell.

Carrying the colours of Niall Frawley and John Mullane, the daughter of Fast Company met trouble in-running on seasonal reappearance at the Curragh 11 days ago and today, dropping a furlong to the minimum distance, scored a length and a quarter success under jockey Seamie Heffernan.

O'Connell, based nearby at Cullen, later said “she did it well and while I think that's her trip, I wouldn't rule out going six furlongs again as she was unlucky and was cut off at the Curragh last time. She is suited by a fast run five on easy ground and that's her thing.

“We'll run until the ground gets too quick during the summer but if we get a wet summer, we'll bang away. There are a couple of good handicaps for her and while she is small, is improving.”

He added “we have seven flat horses for the summer and might have one or two jumpers, we're quiet enough.”