Davy Condon rider of Lily Of Killarney© Photo Healy Racing
Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, Lily Of Killarney made virtually all to land the Willie Murphy Jewellers Downpatrick Handicap Hurdle under Davy Condon for Colin Bowe.
The winning five-year-old daughter of King’s Theatre is owned by the Irish Tenors Return Syndicate, with famous Irish Tenors, Dr Ronan Tynan and Anthony Kearns both involved in the syndicate, with Tynan also the successful breeder.
She won a point-to-point at Lingstown in March on her seventh attempt, before disappointing on her first three racecourse starts, and making her handicap debut this afternoon she was sent to post a 9/1 chance.
She made virtually all, and despite being joined briefly before the second last, she kept on best under pressure on the run-in, scoring by two lengths at the line. Friendly Society ran well to take second under Adrian Heskin for Michael Hourigan at 10/1, while Native Court was four and a half lengths back in third under Mikey Butler for Mark McNiff at 8/1.
After winning a beginners chase at Wexford on her last start, Pestal And Mortar was sent off the 7/4 favourite (5/2 this morning, opening at 2/1 on-course) under Mark Bolger for Finbar Hand.
She was under pressure from before the second last, eventually finishing a disappointing seventh.
Davy Condon said afterwards: "She is a tough mare and she stays well. I think she will win again as she was very idle in front and there was a bit more in the tank."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
