Sylkie preserves unbeaten record at Galway

Sylkie (6/1 fav) remains unbeaten in three starts at Galway after landing the KONE Handicap under Rory Cleary. 

A winner at the festival in August and also at the September meeting, the daughter of Starspangledbanner raced in mid-division on the inner and was angled out on the approach  to the straight.

Soon making headway on the outer, she was produced to lead inside the final furlong and had a length-and-three-quarters to spare over Vassula Ryden at the line. 

Trainer Danny Howard, based in Miltown Malbay Co Clare, said: "We're a small stable, she is our stable star so we mind her and bring her to the beach, which she loves.

"She also loves Galway and passing horses and travelled very well and picked up well today. She likes that soft ground and is just a dream.

"I was very confident today and while I thought she was in trouble at one stage, she ate the hill. Today's win is nearly better than her win at the festival as everyone is here today."

He added: "I took a chance claiming her and John Boland heads the Sylkie Syndicate who are a great bunch of people. There are 10 members who each seems to have brought along 10 more today and when we go out for a beer in Moneypoint, she is all everyone talks about. 

"We only have a handful of horses and training is tougher these days than years ago but I'm lucky to have her."

Quotes from Tom Weekes