Sionnach Eile bolts up in featured Guinness Handicap under Gary Carroll

Sionnach Eile made light of a 12lbs rise for his recent Ballinrobe win when easily landing the featured Guinness Handicap at Galway.

Similar to his ill fated brother Swamp Fox, the Joseph Murphy trained gelding has taken on a new lease of life since being fitted with blinkers.

Swamp Fox also won at Ballinrobe back in 2016 in first-time headgear, before running right away with the GPT Handicap at Galway on his next start.

Carroll tracked the early leaders before moving into a challenging position on the run out of the dip. Getting to the front early in the straight, Sionnach Eile then showed a real burst of speed to quicken away from rivals and put the race to bed.

Joseph Murphy said; "I would have preferred to run him off 82 (his recent Ballinrobe winning mark) but one of the 82s today didn't get a run today. I thought the handicapper was wrong (for his 12lb Ballinrobe rise) but I'd have to say he was right, this time.

"He is in the Cesarewitch and we have a little question about him getting the two miles but after that performance I think he'll get it.

"He will jump hurdles down the road and maybe in two years' time he could run in the Galway Hurdle."

Incidentally, Swamp Fox was only beat a neck in the 2017 Galway Hurdle.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes