Sleepy Head and Pat Smullen© Photo Healy Racing
Pat Flynn was delighted to see Sleepy Head overcome her aversion to the starting stalls when she claimed the mile handicap at Gowran this afternoon.
Pat Smullen produced the 6/1 shot to lead a furlong-and-a-half from home and she stuck on well in the closing stages to record a length-and-a-quarter success. Annie Irish ran on to claim the second close home from Bo Bridget
The winner had been withdrawn in Cork in mid-June after refusing to load and was making her first start since.
“That's great. She can just be a bit messy at the start. She didn't go in the last day and we've done a lot of work with her at home,” said Flynn.
“Pat said she was a little bit iffy today but she went in and she relaxed inside. She's a nice filly but she just takes a bit of gentle handling.
“She didn't mind the ground at all. That's my 751th winner and Pat has now gone one in the lead (in jockey's championship).
“It's a good tonic for Bill (Foley) as well. He has a good few horses in training and is a great man.
“I'd say she'll run on the grass again next time and then she might go to Dundalk. It's just a case of keeping her nice and relaxed.”
