Henry's Girl powered clear in the closing stages to run out a comprehensive winner of the mile-and-a-half handicap at Tipperary tonight.

Niall McCullagh settled his mount behind the leaders in the early stages before moving smoothly into contention turning for home.

John Kiely 's charge was asked to hit the lead passing the two pole and pulled away in the closing stages for a five-length victory.

The winner was available at 18/1 this morning but after support, and a host of non-runners, went to post a 9/2 shot.

"She ran well at the Curragh on Saturday and was due to go up 2lbs but we got away with that today. She needs good ground and please God she will get another,” said Kiely.

"I've a long association with her owner (Mrs Ranka Pollmeier) going back 25 or 30 years and Black Queen won the Galway Hurdle for us in 1998."

Pollmeier added:- "Black Queen was also number 13 when she won!"

There were seven withdrawals, reducing the field to ten, all because of the change in going.

The Flat track had been good, good to firm in places this morning but was good to firm, firm in places by race time.

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)