John O'Riordan
Mo Ghille Mar makes all to give Harrington four-in-a-row
Mo Ghille Mar and Shane Foley
© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Jessica Harrington made it four wins in as many years in the same race when Mo Ghille Mar made just about every yard of the running to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies & Mares Handicap at Killarney.
Successful in the past three renewals, the County Kildare trainer saw her representative in this years race emulate her stable compatriots as Mo Ghille Mar came home in front.
Smartly away under stable jockey Shane Foley, the daughter of Zoffany looked in trouble early in the straight as her rider was hard at work on the rail.
Colin Keane appeared to be travelling much easier on Star Kissed while Chris Hayes moved third on the favourite Hasana.
Hayes was the first of that pair to come off the bridle but it looked just a case of Keane pressing the button before Star Kissed picked off the leader.
However, the latter found disappointingly little once asked for her effort, as Foley quickened again on the Harrington filly who skipped clear inside the final furlong to win by three-and-three-quarter lengths.
Stable representative Richie Galway said: "We were a little anxious about the ground but she handled it really well and Shane was positive on her. She was up in trip today and looks like she will go further.
"Shane was confident she would stay but she really dug in and was impressive and won nicely. She enjoyed the quicker ground and learned plenty.
"Obviously the field cut up but there were other fancied horses in it and it was a nice pot to win. We will see what the handicapper does and make a plan from there."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.