Fifth here on the opening night behind Dinky Inty, Empress Lyla turned out quickly to win the Arthur Guinness Handicap at Galway.

Trained by Sheila Lavery for her brother John, Empress Lyla came through from off the pace to eventually defeat All The Mollies by three and a half lengths.

"She just loves racing. Gary said it played into his hands as they went really hard up front and she was on her head the whole way but she just keeps going," said Ms Lavery.

"She didn't mind the kickback today and we'll just keep trying to do more of the same.

"The draw beat her the other day. She's had horrendous draws all year — it was the same at Ballinrobe."

(TW & EM)