Espere survives enquiry to land mile handicap

The Ger Lyons-trained Espere had to survive a stewards enquiry before being confirmed as the winner of the mile handicap at Galway.

Colin Keane produced his mount with a strong challenge inside the final furlong but she drifted over to her right when tackling My Silver Nails

The 10/1 shot went away close home to record a two-and-a-half length success. English raider Mr Top Hat got up late to snatch the runner-up spot.

The winner was having her first start in handicap company having failed to make an impression when tried in Listed company in the Naas Oaks Trial last time.

“She was all over the place to be honest,” said Keane.

“In that ground she nodding coming into the dip, still a little bit green, and rolling around on the ground.

“She was hard to keep straight but she's classier than them and she's done it well.

“Everything just happened too quick for her the last day so it's nice to get her back to winning ways today for connections.

“I thought she was well in today and she's done it well but she's ran all over the place.”