Harrington's soft-ground specialist wins again

Maud Gonne Spirit (8/1) relished the underfoot conditions to gain an easy victory in the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Munster Mile Handicap.

The daughter of Intello, a winner at this year’s Galway Festival, made headway from mid-division racing downhill to the straight.

Jockey Shane Foley followed the outside route in the home straight, employed successfully by several winning riders earlier, and his mount led over a furlong out before quickly going clear to beat Dragon Of Malta by an eased-down three lengths.

It was a fourth victory for the Jessica Harrington-trained filly, all of which have been achieved going right-handed on testing ground, but her first time to win beyond seven furlongs.

Foley said: “The ground is a massive help and she seems to grow a leg on it - it is very tough conditions out there but she enjoys it.

“She had a nice light weight on her back, I was drawn wide but was on the freshest part of the track.

"I'll leave plans to connections but I'd say she'll run again before the end of the season. She is a grand filly, is consistent and always gives her running."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes