Well-bred Millie benefits from Davy's strength

Carrig Millie went to the last in the Nobber Maiden Hurdle at Navan with her ears pricked and after crashing through the flight and going left, it appeared as if she had thrown away her winning chance.

However anyone that thought the Milan mare's hopes had evaporated, hadn't bargained on the strength of her pilot Davy Russell. He galvanised his mount to fend off He's Our Man Perfect Gentleman and Inish Island in a blanket finish by three parts of a length, a head and a length. The well-backed favourite, Blissful Moment at least 6/4 this morning into 6/5, never really looked like scored and he finished a further nine and a half lengths back in fifth.

County Wicklow owner Maurice Sheehy has enjoyed success in recent years with horses that he's sent to Mick Cullen including Flight Control and Would You Do That and Carrig Millie is now another that the New Ross-handler has worked the oracle with.

Cullen commented: "She deserved that. She had a good run the last day at Leopardstown. She'll go for some of those mares races now and the further she goes the better."

She'll no doubt be a nice broodmare prospect in time too as the seven-year-old, bred by no less a woman than Miss Jane Mangan, is a half-sister to 2003 Hennessy Gold Cup hero Strong Flow. (AM & EM)