Aoife Puts Gilligan Back on Track

Aoife Costa under Robbie Colgan (deputising for amateur, Brian Cawley, got a fall at home on the gallops) found the greatest reserves of stamina to fend off Sarahs Catch by a length in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares Beginners Chase.

The 14/1 chance is trained by Paul Gilligan, who was relieved to register a winner, his first since Hammer It Home, almost a year ago at Limerick.

The Galway handler said: "My horses were sick all winter and this mare deserved that as she was very unlucky not to win a point-to-point. I'm delighted for the owner, Michael Heston from Ballina, Co. Mayo." (EM)