Newgirlintown in winning form© Photo Healy Racing
Newgirlintown outgunned the favourite No Trouble in the latter stages of the mile and a half handicap in Dundalk.
No Trouble was switched left by Siobhan Rutledge to burst through between horses inside the final two furlongs.
The pair progressed to the front a furlong and a half out but were soon rapidly closed down by Newgirlintown and Colin Keane who stayed on strongly once they took over at the furlong marker.
Newgirlintown began to assert in the final 150 yards to prevail by a length and three parts at 11/4 for Ger O'Leary. The runner-up was the 6/4 favourite. Ghumama was the same distance away in third at 17/2.
“That's brilliant. She's a really tough mare, tries her heart out, but she's not easy on herself in the prelims and even throughout races,” said assistant trainer Adrian Joyce.
“Colin would have loved to get a lead for even a bit longer tonight as she kind of freezes when she hits the front. He gave her a perfect ride, delivered her at the right time and committed her well when he went for her.
“She's a really nice mare and she's done really well for us, she's always been bang there every time we've run her really.
“We'll probably plan a hurdling campaign for her now and see how she gets on in that sphere.
“She's a big mare and she loves soft ground so that is a plus for her.
“Things are going well and Ger will be delighted with that, he's at home watching.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
