Whelan strikes again on Gra Geal Mo Chroi

APPRENTICE Ronan Whelan, delighted by his Irish Derby Day triumph on Moran Gra on Sunday, struck again when Gra Geal Mo Chroi justified favouritism in the Sligo Claiming Race in Sligo last night - providing trainer Ausin Leahy with a welcome success.

Sent off a strong 11/8 favourite, Gra Geal Mo Chroi cruised into the lead before the straight and kept going well to keep Tipper Road at bay, before King’s Jester came through to snatch second position.

Trainer Leahy stated: “She’s a consistent mare and loves soft ground — that has always been the key to her. She’s won five now and will probably go to Killarney next. She likes it around there. I was going to enter her for the claimer at Bellewstown, but I was afraid the ground would be too quick for her. There should be plenty of claimers at Dundalk during the winter, so we’ll probably be heading up the M50 a few times.”