Lady Of The Sea © Photo Healy Racing
Michael Millar, who trains near Crumlin in Co. Antrim, had a red letter day at Sligo as Lady Of The Sea provided him with his first winner.
The Milan mare went to post a 16/1 shot in the two-and-a-half mile handicap but stayed on strongly from the last to run out a convincing winner. Roses Queen looked set to collect when hitting the front on the run to the bypassed second last but couldn't hold the late charge of Lady Of The Sea.
Denis O'Regan drove his mount up to challenge at the last and she got on top on the run-in to secure a four-and-a-quarter length success.
The winner had been outclassed on her last start at Downpatrick in a decent conditions hurdle but had some solid form in the past and was recording her second career victory, having won at Wexford back in July 2018.
O'Regan said:- "Neil Gault (who was leading up and rode one for the winning trainer in the third race) said to me to ride her with plenty of confidence.
"She switched off well and when I grabbed hold of her she fairly flew up the straight and I think she won well enough in the end.
"I kept her out wide for the better ground because it's just gone a bit dead on the inside, and she appreciated that.
"She was down to a mark where she was entitled to run well. I'm told it's the trainer's first winner so it's great to be on it."
There was a slight delay to racing following the race as Dylan Johnston was taken to hospital for checks after his fall from Second Symphony at the sixth flight.
(Quotes by Mark Nunan)
