Arwen now Galway bound

Lady Arwen (10/1) scored for the second time this season in the Daily Sports Special At Tote.ie Handicap at Ballinrobe this evening over an extended mile and a furlong.

Billy Lee brought her with her challenge from the rear in a long swooping move around the outside to hit the front a furlong out.

The seven-year-old mare kept on strongly in the closing stages and hit the line strongly to win by a length and a quarter from Elusive Duke (3/1F). Nibras Rainbow (100/30) was three lengths further back in third.

Winning trainer Conor O'Dwyer said "She's been a great mare and that's five she's won for us.

"It's the first time Billy has ridden her. We wanted to be a bit closer, maybe halfway back, but she missed a beat at the start. That's the thing with these top jockeys, though. They can go to Plan B or Plan C and still come out on top, and he duly produced her at the right time.

"Billy has been very lucky for us in these colours, with the likes of Barretstown and Trump Card.

"I asked Billy what do we have, because she's so versatile that I'm still not entirely sure what her best trip is!

"I wasn't sure about today's trip and thought she might prefer it a bit softer, but she's so genuine and I'd love to have a few more like her.

"She hasn't won at Galway, but has run well there a few times and loves the hustle and bustle, and hopefully that will get her into one of the '70' handicaps, either over seven or a mile and half-a-furlong."

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan