Chillie Billie wins in tight finish

The John Larkin trained Chillie Billie defied top weight and held on in a scrum finish to win the Ladbrokes Red Day Handicap at Galway today, surviving a Stewards' Enquiry to win under Ross Coakley.

The son of Piccolo was prominent throughout but looked likely to be caught in the closing stages as So Sensible and Sister Slew arrived with strong challenges. However just as Sister Slew's finish petered out close home, she also caused interference to So Sensible.

Chillie Billie held on for a head win over Sister Slew, with a neck back to Blue Bullet and half a length to fourth placed So Sensible.

Larkin later stated "he's a hardy old horse and we keep running him

"Young (Ross) Coakley said he doesn't know how he did it (win) but he just did. I have to mention John Sullivan who rides him out all the time as it's all down to him really.

"That's great and for a good loyal owner (Breen White)."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson