Winters Breath is another for McCreery Fresh from a double at Down Royal yesterday, Willie McCreery was again on the mark in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap, with his Winters Breath just prevailing in this six-furlong heat. A never nearer fifth on her handicap debut at Navan earlier this month, the Caravaggio grey was sent off a 9/1 chance this afternoon. Tracking the leaders under Dylan Browne McMonagle, the 67-rated victor was ridden in third with over a furlong to go and while soon drifting left, she surged to the front in the final strides and was a short head in front on crossing the line. In first time cheekpieces, Likedbymike was the one just denied, with this Michael Byrne-trained three-year-old returned a 33/1 chance. As short as 5/4 in early shows for this 12-runner contest, Amicitia was eventually returned the 9/4 favourite and she finished a further half-a-length away in third. "She is straightforward, had a good run the last day and stepping up a furlong today was always going to help," the winning rider commented. "I kept it smooth, she gets the trip well but rolled around a little bit in the last furlong, so would have been unlucky if she didn't get up. She is still a baby, hasn't many miles on the clock and is probably only going to get faster with experience. "I ride a good bit for Al Shira'aa (owners) and Willie was great to me when Billy (Lee) was out, so it is good to get another one for them. All these winners are needed." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
