Meadow in clover at Thurles

Speckled Meadow stayed on strongly in the closing stages to run out a convincing winner in the rain at Thurles this afternoon.

The Terence O'Brien-trained filly was well-backed in today's mile contest, from 16/1 in the morning into 6/1.

She was driven into contention turning for home, by Adam Caffrey, and took a narrow lead under two furlongs from home.

The daughter of Footstepsinthesand really started to get on top in the closing stages as she pulled away late on for a three-length win over Stormie Outlook

"I've rode her the two times - the last time she was disappointing but the time before that she ran a cracker when she bumped into a good one (second to Mr Rango at Navan),” said the winning rider.

"She got worked up in the stalls at Gowran the last day (finished sixth), missed the kick and it was game over. In fairness to the lads they brought her away and gave her stalls work and it has worked.

"The lads said to be good and positive and let her roll on as she is one paced. I let her do that and she stayed at it the whole way to the line."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)