Heavily backed Creggs Pipes calls tune

Andy Slattery’s terrific season continues apace, and the rapidly progressive and heavily backed Creggs Pipes (11-2f) gave him plenty of reason for Galway cheer when making all in the valuable Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap on day two of the Festival.

Ridden by Declan McDonogh and seeking a fourth consecutive victory, the Rip Van Winkle filly took a couple of lengths out the field early, and it was an advantage she never looked like relinquishing. Top Notch Tonto made rapid late gains into second place, but came up a length and three parts shy.

The thrilled Tipperary trainer admitted this wasn’t the plan: “She stays well, and the rain definitely helped, but this wasn’t the plan. But when the handicapper gave her 2lb for winning the listed race at Killarney, we entered her the following day.