Lady McCabe and Sean O'Keeffe lead over the last© Photo Healy Racing
Lady McCabe provided Killeagh trainer Martin Fitzgerald with a welcome change of fortune when taking the Xenon Handicap Hurdle at Gowran Park.
The County Cork handler enjoyed his last success under rules nearly seven years ago but this lightly-raced eight-year-old Yeats mare was well-backed after showing plenty of promise when finishing strongly at Fairyhouse last time.
The 7/2 favourite led at the penultimate flight and soon asserted under Sean O’Keeffe to score by two and three quarter lengths.
Runner-up Bread And Butter lost any slim chance when meeting the last all wrong, while top-weight Deal With It was a further six and a half lengths away in third.
Fitzgerald said, “She's a very consistent mare and hopefully if the handicapper gives her a chance she might pick up another one. She'll probably stay a bit further as well.”
“I'm delighted to get the win out of her as she's a well bred mare. She's by Yeats out of a half-sister to Binocular. It's good for the page.
“Hopefully she'll pick up another small hurdle somewhere and mightn't do too bad over fences after.”
(GC & AM)
