Livia Galilei approaches the line under Rory Cleary© Photo Healy Racing
The Jim Bolger trained, Rory Cleary ridden Livia Galilei took the feature race at Sligo this evening, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Connacht Oaks Fillies Handicap.
The 3yo daughter of Galileo won her maiden at the Curragh in June on her fifth career start and then finished second on her next outing in the Ulster Oaks at Down Royal.
Last time out she finished third behind Jazz Girl at Killarney last month but she reversed the form with that one today.
She chased the leaders early on and was second four furlongs out. She then hit the front with over two furlongs left to race and kept on well under pressure to hold off all challengers and win by a length and a half at the line.
The Patrick Prendergast trained Tantalising ran well to take second under Ross Coakley at 7/1 (from 10/1 on course and 16/1 this morning) while the 3/1 favourite Norah Starr (from 5/1 this morning) could only manage a disappointing sixth under treble seeking Conor Hoban for trainer Denis Hogan.
The Willie Mullins trained Dare To Doubt opened the 13/8 favourite with Paddy Powers this morning but she drifted all the way out to 7/2 at the off and finished a respectable third under Pat Smullen.
Winning rider Rory Cleary, who has a 100% record on the filly, said afterwards: "She handled the ground well and loves the trip.
"She is nice and genuine and likes to be ridden handily. She is very uncomplicated."
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
