Joanna Morgan’s Pond Cottage stayed on stoutly to seal a 50/1 victory when fending off Tony Martin's 5/2 favourite Montan in the Qualified Riders’ race at Galway.
Declan Lavery on board the outsider kept to the middle of the sodden track and forged his way to the lead two furlongs out of the mile and six furlongs contest. The pair came home a length-and-a-quarter clear of Montan and Nina Carberry who was subject of morning support from 9/2.
“Galway’s a lucky track for me. I rode a festival winner here. He was a bit green in front but he’s a good horse,” jockey Declan Lavery said. Deutschland for Willie and Patrick Mullins completed the placings two lengts away at 5/1.
Michael Graham