Sli Na Ghealai shines in Down Royal sunshine

Odds-on favourite Sli Na Ghealai #160;(10/11) made all in the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden under Rory Cleary. 

Placed in three of her five previous starts, the daughter of Vocalised broke well and dictated the pace before stretching clear in the final furlong to account for Cornahilt Soldier by four lengths.

Jim Bolger trains the homebred winner for his wife Jackie. 

Travelling head man Ger Flynn said: "Plenty of placed form and she is not winning out of turn.

"We went down to Tipperary last week for a median auction maiden and probably ran into a nice horse of Jessica Harrington's (Sea The Boss) who has an entry at Leopardstown over the weekend.

"Rory said he was going to keep it simple - jump and run as she had the best form in the race.

"If she put it together that is what she is capable of doing. It is nice to get the bracket for her, the boss and Mrs Bolger.

"Rory said she is definitely a filly that will get a bit further. She enjoyed the ground and handled the track. The experience counted for her."

When asked if morning favourite Bright Stripes being ruled out changed tactics, he replied: "Not really, we were confident coming here. Jim is never one to shy a contest, to be fair.

"Every horse has to be respected but, that being said, we had the best form in the race."

Quotes from Michael Graham