Gabriella's Spirit beats the grey Little Queenie © Photo Healy Racing
Speed held up in the featured Doneraile Handicap and one of those in the front rank throughout, Gabriella's Spirit just lasted home in a blanket finish.
Formerly trained in Britain, the 17/2 chance was successful on her Irish debut at Tipperary in May and finished a close third at the Curragh on Derby weekend.
Here, having been ridden a furlong out, she gained a narrow lead inside the final hundred yards and scored by a neck from Little Queenie with Jon Riggens who made up a lot ground from the rear of the field, just a further head away in third.
It was a double for Bill Lee after his win on A Lilac Rolla in the opener.
Ken Condon, who trains the winner for Con Harrington, said: "Chris Hayes rode her in a four-way tight finish at the Curragh the last day and we decided to go for cheekpieces today. Billy said she enjoyed getting a bit of light and, as it worked out, was on the right side of the draw as she got a nice lead from Dun Na Sead who was quickly away.
"This is a lovely prize to win and these Premier Handicaps are hard won. It is nice for Con who bred her and it is a family he knows well.
"She has such a nice pedigree that there is nothing to be lost by looking for black-type and she could run in the Listed Abergwaun Stakes at Tipperary now."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
