Lily's Gem proves her worth in Carlisle Stuart Crawford sent two horses across to Carlisle today and returned with a winner when Lily’s Gem held on in the mares’ novices’ hurdle. Title-chasing Brian Hughes sent the 2/1 shot to the front after the second last but the pair were soon pressed by 8/11 favourite Penny Mallow. Crawford’s seven-year-old mare kept on best to score by a neck. She evidently enjoys Carlisle having won her bumper there back in April 2018. The Larne-based trainer also ran Hidden Dilemma in the mares’ handicap chase where she finished second, beaten by two lengths, after attempting to make all over an extended two and a half miles. This seven-year-old mare, in first-time cheekpieces, attracted plenty of support before going off at 7/1. JJ Slevin’s mount was picked off before the last by the winner Skewiff (5/1). Meanwhile, John McConnell's Cliara (9/2) took the nightcap in Wolverhampton in good style. Luke Morris sent her clear over a furlong out and the duo came in by four lengths, in the class 6 handicap over an extended mile and a half.
