Indian defies twelve pound rise

Indian Landing followed up his easy win at Sligo last time out to score in the fourth race on the card at Galway this evening, the James P Cunningham Electrical Handicap, for his trainer Tracey Collins with Ronan Whelan in the saddle.

On his handicap debut at Sligo earlier this month, the son of Barathea blitzed his rivals winning easily by seven lengths and he repeat the dose today but only by half a length, defying the twelve pound rise given to him for his Sligo victory. Independent Girl who made all to win at the Festival in July, attempted to do the same today, but the winner passed her in the early straight and stayed on well from there to fend off the runner-up Truly Genius (12/1) with a further half a length back to the third placed horse Golden Shoe at 20/1.

Having opened at 7/2 this morning the 3yo winner was well supported and went off the 5/2 favourite.

Winning trainer Tracey Collins said afterwards: "I'm very pleased for his owner (Herb Stanley) on his home turf. He is from Loughrea.

"Ronan gave him a peach of a ride. I asked him to hold on to him till the base of the hill. Ronan is a very talented young lad.

"We’ll see what the handicapper does with him now."

Donal Murphy