Well backed Silken Ladder scores at Killarney

Silken Ladder landed a morning gamble to win the Irish Examiner Handicap at Killarney today, scoring for trainer Joe Murphy and jockey Gary Carroll.

The 67-rated daughter of No Nay Never was an 18/1 chance early this morning but was 6/1 by 10am and was eventually returned 7/2 favourite. In the race Silken Ladder edged ahead to lead close home and beat Elmos Fire by three parts of a length.

Murphy's son and namesake later commented “it was her first handicap run but it was a three-year-olds-only so we were all in the same boat and finding out about them. She enjoyed the cut in the ground today, she is out of a High Chaparral mare and had two decent runs in maidens.

“She didn't look too harshly treated, particularly on her Gowran run (last September) but she will be sticking to handicaps, I'd imagine. That's her trip and a bit better ground would be no harm to her. She will be a nice filly for the rest of the year.”