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Snellen back to winning ways under Gary Carroll

Snellen and Gary Carroll. Snellen and Gary Carroll.
© Photo Healy Racing

Last years Chesham Stakes winner Snellen recorded a first success since that memorable day at Royal Ascot when landing the Jim Ryan Memorial Handicap at Limerick.

A winner at this track on her racecourse debut last June, the Gavin Cromwell trained filly followed up at the royal meeting 10 days later.

However, having failed to trouble the judge on four subsequent starts, the Expert Eye filly had dropped to a mark of 89 here.

Travelling well throughout in this field of six, Garry Carroll produced the filly to head Physique over a furlong out before holding the late run of the unlucky in running Lady Lunette

Winning jockey Gary Carroll said: "The ground was the key to her as the slow ground at Naas didn't suit and it was also still on the slow side at the Curragh the last day. She really enjoyed that quick ground but I still don't think she has got back to her Ascot level of form although it was a step in the right direction and I think she'll improve from it.

"Usually she can travel and quicken well but she ground it today. She had been slow to come to hand this year but fillies are like that.

"She is getting the sun on her back now and I don't think we have seen the best of her yet this year. There is a good fillies' handicap at the Curragh on Derby weekend which could suit her.

"We know now that she is very ground dependent and when she gets her conditions, can still show what she has."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.

1st
11/4
Tote €3.75 €2.30
2nd
0.75L
9/4Fav
€1.10
3rd
0.5L
11/4
4th
6.5L
17/2
About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.