Peace N' Milan winning under Ricky Doyle© Photo Healy Racing
Fran Flood saddled his first winner as a licenced trainer when Peace N’ Milan took the Book For The Easter Festival Mares Handicap Hurdle in fine style at Fairyhouse.
Flood, who has been an integral part of the Grangecon yard for many years, took over the licence after his father Francis passed away last October. The Green Lady was sent off the 9/4 favourite on the back of a maiden win at Punchestown on Wednesday but was headed by the winner after two out.
Peace N’ Milan, available at 16/1 this morning and supported on track from 10/1 into 7/1, asserted before the final flight under Ricky Doyle.
She was far from fluent at the last but neither was The Green Lady, and she kept on strongly to beat that rival by four and a half lengths.
There was a gap of 18 lengths back to Swift in third.
Flood said, “It was great to get the first one and I'm delighted it was owned by Leonard (Kelly). Leonard and his friend Pat have had horses with my father for a lot of years. They had 51 winners with my father so that's the first with me. I'm over the moon — delighted.
“The ground was a good help to her as she wants it soft. We're really properly getting soft ground now for the first time this year. If you haven't got the speediest ones you have to wait until the ground balances it up.
“She's in at Clonmel on Thursday. I'll have to have a look at it and make up my mind when I see how she comes out of it. It's shorter and she looked like she needed all of the 2m4f today. We'll have a think about it.”
(GC & AM)
