Empress Toorah, right, beats Willowing in Roscommon© Photo Healy Racing
Empress Toorah won a desperately close finish to the mile and a quarter fillies’ handicap in Roscommon, beating Willowing by a nose.
Truly Delighful and Calorie got involved in a duel as they raced well ahead of the remaining five runners. As both petrol gauges ran on empty with a furlong to go, Kevin Manning on Willowing and Pat Smullen on Empress Toorah began closing with real intent. It became a battle to the line between the two experienced jockeys and the judge awarded Smullen the victory at 11/2. Willowing on the inside was second at 16/1. Woodsophiesmile carried plenty of euro as she was hammered down from 4/1 in the morning to 7/4 favourite on the off. Gary Halpin replaced Shane Shortall on her as the latter was unable to do the weight. She was very slowly away and raced in rear. She was ridden three furlongs out, but came home last.
Trainer Sabrina Harty said: “I was watching on the stands and I was sure the other horse had won. I thought that’s typical now two of them beaten in close finishes [Have A nice Day was second in the previous race]. She’s good and tough and has got a line of consistency going now.
“Earlier in the year she was coming in and out of season. She has grown and is strong and that’s as far as she wants to go.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
