Lalor family score again with Lechuga Carrigeen Lechuga followed up a course win of a fortnight ago when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Chase in convincing fashion at Thurles. Ridden by Liz Lalor for her parents Dick and Ann, the home-bred 15/8 chance was up with the pace throughout and took the three mile event by the scruff of the neck when asserting before the straight. The five-time point-to-point winner galloped on strongly in the straight to beat Ballinahow Lady (9/1) by five lengths, while 7/4 favourite Definite Class was not helped by a blunder at the last with a circuit to go and could only manage third. Dick Lalor said, “She’s getting better and better and would like a bit nicer ground. The ground today was even worse than the last day and she laboured on it. The further the better for her, and the last few furlongs really played to her strength. “She could go next for the Grade 3 Dawn Run Mares Chase at Limerick, and the Irish National could also be a possible target.”
