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Gallagher earns his fee on Allora Yeats

Allora Yeats, orange cap on outer, gets up on the lineAllora Yeats, orange cap on outer, gets up on the line
© Photo Healy Racing

Allora Yeats stormed home from an unpromising position to get up on the line in division one of the mile and a half handicap in the Curragh.

She was fully second last in this big field turning into the home straight.

She was then off the bridle and had a wall of horses in front of her a quarter of a mile from home as her in-running price soared.

Jockey Mark Gallagher had to go right around the field to get her in the clear. Once there, she made headway coming to the final furlong but she still had nine horses to pass.

Katy Brown 's mare absolutely rocketed home in the final 100 yards, though, to deprive the heavily-backed Swelltime by a nose.

The first two home were the 9/2 joint favourites with the runner-up backed from as big as 14/1 this morning. Tenth Amendment got a third-place reward at 25/1 in front of 11/2 chance Cache Queen

Mark Gallagher: "I hit the line and a stride past it I thought definitely I was in front but I was a little bit unsure.

When I came back in they were all going for Swelltime so I said 'bit unlucky there!' but then I heard the number (called) so it's great.

"She has got a bit of toe, so I was just hopeful to get a bit of luck in-running in the big field.

"When I asked her to quicken up she did it really well. It was just a matter of getting to the line on time.

"She's in great form and she is on the up. I think when she step up in grade and they go that stride quicker it might suit her again. She'll go on any ground. She's a good, tough mare."

Katy Brown added: “I was panicking a bit coming up the straight as she got stuck in behind a bit of traffic but he gave her a super ride.

“She’s a mare that likes to be ridden cold and come with one run. After Bellewstown we thought that she would appreciate a stiffer track. She’s proved us right and we’re delighted with her.

“It’s unlikely that she will get in but I would like to run her in the Ladies' Derby next Saturday. We’ll find something else for her here or at Leopardstown, a nice galloping track somewhere.

“She’s really turned a corner and will go back hurdling and maybe chasing.

“She just seems to stay and stay. She’s a big mare and maybe when she was a bit weak when she was younger.

“That’s my first winner at the Curragh. Effernock Fizz was done just on the line here last year.”

Allora Yeats won just over a week ago in Bellewstown by half a length over a mile and six furlongs.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
9/2JFav
Tote €5.00 €1.90
2nd
nose
9/2JFav
€1.50
3rd
1L
25/1
€6.70
4th
0.5L
11/2
€1.20
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.