Hiella delights connections with Curragh victory

Strong-travelling Hiella (5/1) got off the mark for Johnny Murtagh in the five-furlong maiden at the Curragh.

Shane Foley 's mount tanked into contention down the centre of the track a furlong and a half out.

She was pushed along to grab the lead inside the final furlong and kept on powerfully to repel fast-finishing Sun Sign (5/1) by a neck. Castletownshend the 9/2 favourite, was placed again in third.

Johnny Murtagh said: “She fractured her pelvis when she ran as a two-year-old so it’s taken her a while to come back.

“Niall was very happy with her the last day when she stayed on well. We’ve just been patient and got her fit.

“I just rang the owner (Martin McHale) who is in Portugal and he’s absolutely delighted.

“She’s rated 69 so she should be okay in a handicap if he leaves her alone. Hopefully she’ll get a go at a 0-70 handicap.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee