Lilly The Lioness leads eventual third Damefirth over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Garrett Power saddled his first Galway Festival winner as Lilly The Lioness took the Download The Tote Mobile App EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle under Mark Enright.
The eight-year-old mare was placed twice here 12 months ago including when third to Cacheofgold in this corresponding race, and was produced with a well-timed run on the outer entering the straight.
The 8/1 chance kept on gamely on the run-in for Enright to beat Crystal Earth by a length and a quarter, with top-weight Damefirth another five and a half lengths back in third. Give Her Bach completed the placings in this two-mile event just a short-head further away in fourth.
The Windgap-based Power said, "She didn't jump as well as she normally does but she was coming from a run over fences. She's tough and she galloped to the line.
"I'm delighted for the owner Pat McCarthy who is a proper gentleman. Mark gave her a brilliant ride and she's a tough gutsy mare. I thought I'd missed my chance in this race last year and it's great to get a second chance.
"She's first reserve in a flat race here tomorrow and is in on Friday in a 2m2f handicap hurdle. That's my first winner as a trainer here although I did ride a winner here."
Enright said, "It's easy when you have a willing partner like that. She is better going left-handed, and she hung and jumped a bit left all the way.
"I winged the second last and she's galloped all the way up the hill. Early on she was a bit keen and things didn't really go to plan but she's as tough as nails."
(GC & AM)
