Vale Of Clare comprehensively defeats stablemate Regal Power at Naas© Photo Healy Racing
A '1-2' in the Brady Family Real Ham Supporting Naas Hurling Maiden at Naas this evening, completing a double for Eddie Lynam, would have left most thoroughly satisfied but instead left the trainer with plenty to ponder as his Vale Of Clara (14/1) overturned a better fancied stablemate in the race. Lady Gosford had earlier opened Lynam's account and the Group 1 winning trainer was expected to follow-up in the aforementioned maiden with 15/8 favourite Regal Power but the 'jolly' had to settle for second spot behind stablemate Vale Of Clara.
Ridden by Fran Berry, Vale Of Clara was held up before making good headway from two furlongs out, eventually moving clear of Regal Power inside the final furlong for a three and a quarter lengths success.
Afterwards Lynam joked “that all went to plan! I didn't think Vale Of Clara would go on the ground and when it changed, I told the owner to take her out - I wish we had now!
“I told the owner to back the second (Regal Power) but like all of ours, they are doing their best and it was a pleasant surprise. She'll probably go the handicap route if I still have her after this!”
“I don't have her that long and I trained the dam (Luggala), who was a good filly.”
