Milly springs a surprise in the feature

Famous Milly sprang a 16/1 surprise in the feature at Listowel this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Premier Nursery Handicap.

The Gavin Cromwell trained Famous Name filly was down the field on her first two starts, before finishing second Dancing Waves on her third start at Down Royal in July.

She was fifth of ten in a similar contest at Galway on her last start, with Sir Edwin Landseer who re-opposed today, in third.

Settled towards rear by Cleary, the Nigel Kirkwood owned victor made progress on the outer approaching the straight, and soon came under pressure.

She was fourth with a furlong to race, but she stayed on best inside the final furlong, getting up close home to deny Youarewonder by a neck.

The runner-up was returned at 8/1 under Leigh Roche for Johnny Feane, while Catch A Wave was a further five and a half lengths back in third under Chris Hayes for Kevin Prendergast at 10/1.

The aforementioned Sir Edwin Landseer finished fourth, while Ontheiflist was sixth after he was almost unseated a furlong from home. Jose Echegaray was sent off the 11/4 favourite and he finished a disappointing last under Declan McDonogh for Andy Slattery.

Rory Cleary said afterwards: "I'm very happy to ride a nice winner for Gavin and the owner. I've ridden her on all her runs so they've been listening to me for a long enough and hopefully they'll leave me on her again.

"We decided to take our time with her today and just give her a chance to find her feet with the way the ground is so testing. It worked out lovely for us."

The winner is a half-sister to Ainama who won eleven times, with his biggest success coming in the Connacht National at Roscommon in 2012.

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards enquired into an incident about one furlong from the finish involving Youarewonder, ridden by L.F. Roche, placed second and Ontheiflist, ridden by W.M. Lordan, placed sixth, where it appeared that Ontheiflist ran short of room and stumbled.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the incident was caused by L.F. Roche riding carelessly and therefore suspended him for 2 racedays having taken his previous record into consideration.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Lost In Silence trained by D. K. Weld, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Jose Echegaray, trained by Andrew Slattery, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.