Lilly The Lioness pictured on her way to victory under Seamie Heffernan© Photo Healy Racing
Lilly The Lioness justified short priced favouritism to take the last at Tipperary, the TipperaryRaces.ie Handicap, under Seamie Heffernan (completing a double after winning the opener on Promise To Be True for Garrett Power.
Successful on her last start over fences at Wexford, the nine-year-old daughter of Welsh Lion was available at 9/2 last night but that price was quickly snapped up.
She opened on-course at just 7/4, before going off the clear 6/4 favourite in the colours of owner Pat McCarthy.
Keen in the early stages, she eventually settled behind the leaders, and improved to the front with under three furlongs to race.
She soon went a few lengths clear, and kept on well from the furlong pole, going on to score by three and a half lengths. Ondamoura finished second under Ronan Whelan for Tom Hogan at 5/1, while Eretara (33/1) kept on well to take third, a further three parts of a length back under Conor Hoban for Harry Kelly.
Garrett Power said afterwards: "I always thought she was well handicapped on the flat but I never got a chance to run her on it last year.
"She is stronger this year and loves it here - only for her (final fence) fall here she'd have a great record.
"I'm very lucky to have her and she might run in a Graded chase at Killarney next."
Lilly The Lioness has now won three time around Tipperary, and claimed this very race back in 2014.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
