Line scores poignant win for Lillingstons

The John Kiely trained Toe The Line proved a poignant winner of the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund 'Petingo' Handicap at Leopardstown today, winning in the colours of the recently deceased Alan Lillingston.

Ridden by Fran Berry, the daughter of Shantou quickened up well in the closing stages to lead close home and record a neck win over Cassells Rock

Afterwards Kiely, who is better known as a trainer of jumping horses, stated “that's very satisfactory as I didn't think I'd be here very often in this kind of situation! The prize-money is high and it's a good day to have a horse for.

“She's always been promising and showed a lot from day one but has been unlucky once or twice. She ran well behind the Galway Hurdle winner in the Curragh and the trip was too short in Killarney.

“I thought she would be going jumping but she'll probably stay on the Flat for a while now.”

Alan Lillingston, who passed away in July, was the owner of well known Mount Coote Stud and won the 1963 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on one-eyed Winning Fair.

Quotes from Gary Carson