Lesa shows rivals a clean pair of heels

Flirting Lesa produced a game front-running performance to land the two-mile-two chase at Galway for trainer Paddy Hayes.

The Flemensfirth mare got into a nice rhythm up front under Rachael Blackmore and found plenty when pressed from the last fence.

The easy-to-back 12/1 shot pulled clear down the straight to record a comprehensive 14 length win over Weihnachts

Flirting Lesa was recording her second 'track' win having landed a hunters chase at Punchestown back in May 2019.

She is well-bred being out of a half-sister to Merry Gale who also bred five other winners.

"We went wrong with her last year by running on the flat and in a hurdle race as we should have stuck chasing as she is an out and out chaser,” said Hayes.

"I had her ready for the (abandoned) Bishopscourt Cup and I did fancy her today but I thought the ground would be better.

"Rachael gave her a great ride and did everything I asked; you can't get better than Rachael and she is a very good pilot.

"We'll see what the handicapper does but she might go to Listowel on the Monday, if not there is a race in Navan the week after."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)