Avalanche took the second divide of the Blizzards Play Live July 14th Handicap, after the well-fancied Sleepy Head (was the 10/3 market leader at the time of withdrawal) was withdrawn at the start after refusing to load.

The Thomond O'Mara trained eight-year-old recorded his first success last August at Killarney, and ran well to finish third on his return to action at Listowel earlier this month.

Having opened at 7/1 on-course, the grey gelding came in for some support, and went off an 11/2 chance under Wayne Lordan.

Settled in mid-division, he was pushed along from two furlongs out, and was ridden to the front with a furlong left to race, keeping on well from there to score by three parts of a length. Tamara Love ran a nice race to finish second under Gary Carroll for Edmond Kent at 33/1, while Eadaoins Pet (20s this morning, returned 9s) was another length back in third for David Simmonson and Johnny Feane.

The Damian English trained Wild Shot was the other 11/2 joint-favourite (from 13/2) and he finished sixth under Shane Foley.

Wayne Lordan said afterwards: "We went a good gallop and it suited him. Thomond's horses are running very consistently this year so it's good."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards informed Patrick J.Flynn, trainer that Sleepy Head, would have to be recertified before being declared to run from stalls again.