The Robert Tyner trained Lughnasa defied top weight under promising 7lbs claimer Ger Fox to win the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown today.

Fox, in his seventh season as a jockey, has come to attention as one of the most improved riders of recent months and was again seen to good effect when producing Lughnasa with a well timed challenge to edge the daughter of Westerner ahead close home for a half length win over Lipinski

Mary Tyner was representing her husband, who was on duty at Askeaton point-to-point, and stated “everything went according to plan and Ger gave her a great ride; hopefully we'll get another handicap for her again.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson