Keilah tastes success for the first time

Willie McCreery's Keilah came fast and late to grab a deserved first victory in Division 2 of the William Hill Proper Betting Handicap.

She had been placed in her last two starts at Clonmel and Navan which saw her go off 9/4 favourite for this extended nine-furlong contest.

Once Nathan Crosse played her, she moved three-and-three-quarter-lengths clear of Dynamite Defense (25/1). Kiki Roberts was a length and a-quarter back in third at 12/1.

McCreery said: “That was grand. She's a grand filly, she's very honest and tries hard.

“I felt a bit sorry for her the last day as she was just nabbed on the line in Navan. She tries every time.

“I thought he gave her a lovely ride there, a very patient ride. She quickened up and put it to bed quick.

“I'm delighted for the mare herself as she deserved that. We'll keep rolling while the ground is like that and see how we get on.”

Keilah got off the mark at the 13th time of asking.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson