Palmones follows-up on Gowran win

Palmones followed-up on her win at Gowran on Sunday, as she took the John Murphy Memorial Apprentice Handicap under Gary Halpin for Andy Oliver.

Having landed a gamble on Sunday, the daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar proved easy to back this evening, opening on-course at 11/4 before going off the 4/1 favourite in the colours of owner Anthony Rogers.

Settled in mid-division early, she improved to track the leaders from five furlongs out, and was pushed into second entering the straight.

She was ridden from the two furlong pole and hit the front over a furlong out, keeping on well from there to score by a length and a half. Athenry Boy (6/1) kept on well to take second under Killian Leonard for Jim Gorman, while the well-backed Caridadi (12's this morning and from 9/1 to 9/2 on-course) was a neck back in third under Denis Linehan for John Morrison. Kennady (18/1) completed the placings three lengths back in fourth under Tom Madden for Paul Nolan.

Andy Oliver said afterwards: "We had to run really after she was put up (10lbs) for winning on Sunday. Gary gave her a superb, professional ride and we'll have to see where we go from here."

This was Gary Halpin's 50th winner, and as a result his claim has been reduced from 5 to 3 pounds.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee