Marsa and Chris Hayes (far side)© Photo Healy Racing
Chris Hayes completed a Gowran double today, steering the Eddie Lynam-trained, Marita Rogers-owned Marsa to a first win on grass, in the Golf At Gowran Park Handicap.
A dual Dundalk all-weather winner, the daughter of Slade Power raced with the pace, led over a furlong out and battled well for a neck win over Band Width
Lynam later said “I actually fancied this filly in Leopardstown the last day where she ran worse than bad but she has come back to form today.
“I’m glad that she’s proved herself on the grass. Garry (O’Gorman, handicapper) has her 6lb higher on the all-weather than on turf and he is normally right. She probably is as good on the turf.”
Hayes had earlier won on Touching Clouds for trainer Dermot Weld and owners Moyglare Stud Farm, for whom the jockey rides Homeless Songs in Leopardstown's Matron Stakes during Champions Weekend, on September 10.
Quotes from Alan Magee