Brianna Lily and Pat Taaffe © Photo Healy Racing
Having hit the target with quietly-fancied newcomer Yerwanthere at Leopardstown yesterday, Bagenalstown trainer Pat Foley sent out his second winner in 24 hours when Brianna Lily landed the mares' bumper under Pat Taaffe.
Having tracked the leaders, Taaffe sent the daughter of Shirocco to the front off the home turn but she was ridden and headed over a furlong out by the 9/4 favourite Bridal Knot The latter ran around once in front and Brianna Lily rallied to lead again a furlong from home. Despite wandering off a true line herself, she stayed on well enough to defeat Lady Of The Vale by a length and a quarter with Bridal Knot a further half a length back in third.
Foley said: "The same as last night (with winner Yerwanthere), we were expecting a big run but wouldn't have been disappointed if she was beaten as she is still green. Hopefully she will improve again from this and is a very honest mare.
"She is not overly big but what she lacks in height, she makes up in heart.
"If a winners' bumper came up she might run in it but more than likely she will go jumping. She is not overly big but we'll see how she comes out of it and how much she improves.
"We didn't get a run into her before she ran the first day but Bernard McMahon, the head of the syndicate, sadly passed away and she ran on his month's mind at Punchestown.
"Only for Bernard, who was from Meath, she wouldn't have been here today and I'm delighted she has won for the syndicate."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
