Westinmare (right) stays on best to beat Sweet Shirleen (left) and Burrows Lane (centre)© Photo Healy Racing
Westinmare completed a treble at Downpatrick for Gordon Elliott, as she got up close home to take the last, the Downpatrick Children's Talent Show Flat Race.
Seventh of eight in a decent contest at Wexford on her debut last year, the daughter of Definite Article was well-backed today.
Available at 10/1 this morning, she opened on-course at 8's, before going off a 5/1 chance in the colours of owner Vincent Walsh.
Settled towards rear by Nina Carberry, she was pushed along with four furlongs to race. She made progress on the outer over two furlongs from home, and went third a furlong out. She kept on well from there to lead close home, going on to score by half a length. Burrows Lane (7/2 to 5/2) filled the runner-up spot under Finian Maguire for Liz Doyle. Sweet Shirleen who was sent off the 9/10 favourite, looked set for victory with a furlong to race, but she tired close home, and finished a further three parts of a length back in third under Patrick Mullins for his aunt-in-law Mags.
Gordon Elliott, who was on the mark earlier with Carrig Cathal and Blessed King said afterwards: "She came on a lot from her last run. It's a great win for locals. We'll probably go jumping a hurdle with her, I wouldn't say we would go for another bumper. She's honest."
The winner is out of Millanymare who won at the Galway Festival in 2005, while she was also successful on four other ocassions.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
