Lilly has the heart of a Lion Garrett Power saddled his first Galway Festival winner as Lilly The Lioness took the Download The Tote Mobile App EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle under Mark Enright. The eight-year-old mare was placed twice here 12 months ago including when third to Cacheofgold in this corresponding race, and was produced with a well-timed run on the outer entering the straight. The 8/1 chance kept on gamely on the run-in for Enright to beat Crystal Earth by a length and a quarter, with top-weight Damefirth another five and a half lengths back in third. Give Her Bach completed the placings in this two-mile event just a short-head further away in fourth. The Windgap-based Power said, "She didn't jump as well as she normally does but she was coming from a run over fences. She's tough and she galloped to the line. "I'm delighted for the owner Pat McCarthy who is a proper gentleman. Mark gave her a brilliant ride and she's a tough gutsy mare. I thought I'd missed my chance in this race last year and it's great to get a second chance. "She's first reserve in a flat race here tomorrow and is in on Friday in a 2m2f handicap hurdle. That's my first winner as a trainer here although I did ride a winner here." Enright said, "It's easy when you have a willing partner like that. She is better going left-handed, and she hung and jumped a bit left all the way. "I winged the second last and she's galloped all the way up the hill. Early on she was a bit keen and things didn't really go to plan but she's as tough as nails." (GC & AM)
