Moracana holds on in thrilling finale

The Sheila Lavery-trained Moracana just prevailed from Golden Twilight in another cracking finish today at Leopardstown to land the concluding 'Petingo' Handicap.

Golden Twilight was driven into a narrow lead passing the two pole in the mile-and-a-half contest as Jesse Evans pressed.

Moracana came to join the party inside the final furlong, under Rory Cleary, and got her head in front narrowly inside the final 100 yards.

She was all out at the line however as her rival battled back and the Elzaam filly held on by just a nose to secure the €90,000 first prize.

The 14/1 winner was making it three wins in three visits to the Dublin track and her trainer said afterwards:-

Cleary said afterwards:- “She travelled away really nice and I got a great tow into the straight.

“I went to the front nice and easy, she just lugged a bit left. In the closing stages she was only just doing enough but I knew I hit the line well.

“Sheila had her fairly straight today but it was her first time over a mile and a half. “The ground is probably drying out a bit so it is holding as well.

“I think she should improve again from that.

“It means a lot for the likes of me to win on a day like this.”

Sheila Lavery is currently in Doncaster where New Energy runs in the Group 2 Park Stakes tomorrow.

(Quotes by Alan Magee)