Heavenly winner for Lavery, Foley & Zhang

Sheila Lavery recorded her first success for owner Zhang Yuesheng, as Heavenly Snow ran out a good winner of the Peggy Guerin Memorial Handicap.

Third behind Sir Dragonet at Tipperary on her penultimate start, the grey daughter of Australia was making her debut in handicap company this evening.

Drawn on the wide outside in stall 17, she soon got to the front under Shane Foley and made all.

She was ridden over a furlong from home, and kept on well in the closing stages to register a three length success. Insane Bolt (7/1) finished second under Danny Sheehy for Johnny Murtagh, while the well-backed Scorched Earth (8s into 11/2 favouritism on-course) was a neck back in third.

"I shouldn't have run her the last day as I thought she would get away with the ground but didn't," Lavery revealed.

"Shane said there cantering down, she needs a cut. He gave her a very positive ride.

"She is still filling out and isn't there yet as a model. She is only starting to grow into her body.

"It's nice to get the winner out of the way for Mr Zhang. It's my first for him. Michael Donohoe bought her - he buys a lovely type of horse. She is a very solid horse and there is loads more improvement in her."

The winner was bought for E52,000 as a yearling and was available at 20/1 this morning, going from 8s into 13/2 on-course.

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Bar Room Bore trained by Mrs John Harrington, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

T.P. Madden, rider of Bar Room Bore trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled during this race.

The Stewards requested a report from Ms. Sheila Lavery, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Heavenly Snow, placed first, as compared with its recent run. Ms. Sheila Lavery reported that her charge did not handle the good to yielding going at Leopardstown on her most recent run. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes