Mallards take Flight for P'town Grade C win

Nine year old mare Mallards In Flight overcame the minor issue of being eight pounds out of the handicap when providing trainer Gavin Cromwell with a career biggest win in the Grade C Hanlon Concrete European Breeders Fund Glencarraig Lady Mares Handicap Chase at Punchestown today.

Ridden by five pounds claimer and recent Cheltenham Festival winning jockey Luke Dempsey, Mallards In Flight went to the front before the second last fence and from there went on to beat Speckled Wood by five lengths.

Cromwell commented "it was a bit of a gamble running her from out of the handicap and also with her running last week but she's as genuine as they come, a real trier and consistent.

"The better ground helped. Paul (Carberry) said the last day the ground had gone too soft for her. Even though she's won on heavy she prefers better ground.

"I had thought about not running last week but then was afraid of her being out of the handicap here. It was a smallish field and a big prize today.

"We'll maybe look at the Midlands National (Kilbeggan) and see what the handicapper does."

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson