Sylkie gets up late to give Danny Howard memorable Galway win

Former jump jockey Daniel Howard enjoyed a memorable success with a rare flat runner when Sylkie stayed on best under Rory Cleary to take the Village Salthill Handicap at Galway.

County Clare based Howard, who is better known as a National Hunt trainer, has only saddled a handful of runners on the level in recent years.

Sylkie, who was bought out of a Fairyhouse Claimer in May, was having just her second start for the yard. Having caught the eye staying on nicely to take fourth at Tipperary last time, the filly stepped up again here.

Held up towards rear in the early part of the race, the eventual winner travelled well in eighth entering the straight but looked to have plenty to do as Presence and Artful Approach battled it out up front.

Cutting his way through the field once in the clear, Cleary went third over 150 yards out, before staying on strongly to get up late on the 28/1 outsider.

Danny Howard: “She’s a lovely little filly at home. We got her out of a claimer and she’s after making a lot of people very happy today.

“She handled the ground and Rory gave her a lovely ride. Sometimes she doesn’t travel well early in a race and I told him not to panic, ride her to be placed and whatever comes your way after that.

“That’s my first Flat winner and my first here at the Festival as a trainer.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.