Topical win for Duffy's Mean Fomhair

On an afternoon of close finishes, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap was another thriller with Mean Fomhair (12/1) gaining a narrow victory.

Out of action since last October, the 6-year-old was patiently handled by Robbie Colgan and gave chase to Sister Lola entering the final furlong.

She got past that one in the closing stages and the line came in time for her as Fictitious Lady who had missed the break and had to wait for a gap in the straight, flashed home down the outer to be beaten a short head.

It was a second career victory for Mean Fomhair (which translates as the the month of September, or middle of harvest, in English) who had scored at Roscommon in 2019.

It was a first winner for trainer Brian Duffy who said: “It’s great to get another win into her and she’ll be retired at the end of the year. Myself and my father Frank bred her.

“She had great form for Gerry (Keane) and it’s hard to improve anything out of his yard — he’s a top man and he made this filly. I just took out the licence this year after Gerry unfortunately got injured.

“I was hoping it would be a bit softer as it was as quick as she would like but she got away with it. She’s a typical Fast Company and loves soft ground.

“I just have her and her half-sister (Plume Noire). She runs tomorrow in a maiden and hopefully will go close.

“I’ve worked mainly in stud farms. I’ve done a stint in New Zealand and also worked in Derrinstown, Kildangan, Moyglare and Coolmore.”

Quotes from Alan Magee