Sionnach Eile and Gary Carroll win easily© Photo Healy Racing
Sionnach Eile added to a Sligo maiden success last year when running out an impressive winner of the Tote Guarantee All Irish & UK Races Handicap over an extended mile and a half at Ballinrobe.
The Joe Murphy-trained gelding was fitted with a hood for the first time and after heading Stellium early in the straight, quickly settled the issue inside the final furlong.
The 7/2 chance, available at 8/1 overnight, drew right away under Gary Carroll in the closing stages for an easy five-and-a-half-lengths victory over Stellium. Youmdor was a further six-and-a-half-lengths back in third.
Murphy's son and assistant Joe junior said, "He did it well and he’ll head for the mile and a half premier handicap at Galway.
“He wouldn’t be as robust a horse as his brother (Swamp Fox), doesn’t take racing quite as well, and would enjoy a bigger space between races, but if he pulls out well that’s where he’ll go.
“I think this is his trip, although he got very lit up at the Curragh last time when we tried him over further. I don’t think he stays two miles anyway.
“We put the hood on today because we were looking for a reason for the last day, and it wasn’t a hindrance to him.”
Quotes by Mark Nunan
