Dromard springs shock with convincing win

20/1 shot Lily Of Dromard powered clear on the run-in to take the Minorstown Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel in good style.

Darragh O'Keeffe produced his mount to challenge on the outer going to the second last in the two-miler and the Urban Poet mare picked up well to go away before the final flight.

The Mikey O'Connor-trained mare stayed on well when asked to go about her business from the back of the last, recording an eight-and-a-half length victory over Rose Milan

O'Connor, formerly a very successful amateur rider, was recording his first success as a trainer since Awbeg Prince scored at Cork in August 2017 and he said:-

"This mare was my 400th point to point winner (May 2021) and I've been on a break riding since but I want to join Enda (Bolger) on 412 winners and then call it a day.

"I bought her out of a point to point and she is a good mare but just tied up the first day she ran over hurdles. She got down and out after that but thank God she is after coming back right.

"I recommended her to the owners Greg Coleman and his dad (IRE Asset Holding Limited), from Cork.

"I know Darragh years and I helped out when he was pony racing and brought him point to pointing for years. He is a good kid and that's his first winner for me.

"We have eight young horses in training."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)