Lightening Stricks, far side, beats Snap Click into second© Photo Healy Racing
Niall McCullagh steered home another outsider in Killarney this evening as 33/1 shot Lightening Stricks prevailed by a neck.
The nine-year-old gelding got a lovely break from stall one and raced to the head of affairs in Division One of the mile handicap.
He was over a length clear halfway and was still powering forward with under three furlongs left.
He was shaken up by McCullagh with two and a half to negotiate and was ridden inside the two pole to go on and win his race. All Dolled Up was the closest pursuer but in the last furlong the leader was over two lengths clear and not for stopping.
He kept up the gallop and had enough in the tank to see off Snap Click (4/1jf) who thundered home to be second. All Dolled Up could give no more and finished third, a further length and three parts back.
Trainer Liam Roche said: "I don't have him that long and that's just his third run for me.
"He was a good horse in his day and the handicapper gave him his chance today but I thought he'd need the run.
"I'm a farrier by trade and have six horses in training. Unfortunately this horse's previous owner Billy Perry, from Killenaule, died eight weeks ago."
McCullagh was also successful on St Gallen (14/1) in the opening race on the card to give him a 509/1 double
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
