Deserved win for Liltia as McCreery doubles-up

Liltia completed a double at Dundalk for Willie McCreery, as she made the breakthrough in the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Maiden.

Placed four times from six previous starts, the Teofilo three-year-old certainly wasn't winning out of turn.

Sent off a 3/1 chance in the colours of Clodagh Mitchell, the bay victor was settled behind the leaders by Wayne Hassett, making progress to challenge when pushed along over a furlong from home.

Edging to the front when ridden inside the final 150 yards, she kept on well from there to beat Dahab by a neck.

The runner-up was returned at 8/1 under Joey Sheridan for Denis Hogan, while the well-backed Mythical Rock (3/1 from 11s early) was another length and three quarters back in third.

The Johnny Murtagh trained Bloom Vega was sent off the 5/2 favourite and she finished a disappointing fifth.

"She wasn't winning out of turn and it's vital too because she is a beautifully-bred filly out of a Group 1 performer (Lily's Angel)," McCreery, who was earlier successful with Morning Approach explained.

"The Mitchells have been very patient with her. She can go home to the paddocks and that.

"She is a small filly, but she has got a huge heart. If you could put her heart into a few bigger horses, you would have a right horse because Wayne thought he was going to be beaten with 100 yards to the line, but he said she really stayed at it and dug deep.

"I think it was the perfect trip and it was a great opportunity for her.

"She tries very hard and you couldn't ask for more."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham