Harrington gets the Abbey habit

Jessica Harrington notched her first winner of the week as Desert Abbey battled to victory in the William Hill In Ireland Novice Hurdle at Galway.

The 7-1 chance, a winner at Limerick less than a week ago, was settled towards the rear in the early stages by Andrew Leigh but moved up to take much closer order turning for home.

It looked as though she would have to settle for minor honours when hot favourite Go Native came there on the bridle before the final flight, but he did not find as much as anticipated and Desert Abbey showed much more resolution to secure a length success.

Afasheen was a further five lengths back to give Harrington one-three.

Harrington said: “I’m delighted with both fillies, the third may have just needed it – she blew up but ran on – while the winner is getting more confident and getting back to what she was 18 months ago.

“She is jumping well and doing everything right. She seems to be getting stronger, which is helping her cope with the slower ground.

“The plan is to try and get a bit of black type for both fillies.”

Clover Pearl notched her first win in almost two years with a decisive victory in the Williamhill.ie Handicap Hurdle under Paddy Flood.

The Michael Cullen-trained nine-year-old was always close to the pace in the two-and-a-half-mile contest and tracked Ah Ya Boy Ya into the home straight.

The 9-1 shot sealed victory with a fine leap at the last and she ran away on the flat to score by a comfortable three lengths.

Dermot Weld's week continued to get better as Directa King gave him his seventh winner at this year's meeting with a bloodless success in the William Hill 1800 333 555 Handicap.

Those who took the 3-1 before the off will have been counting their winnings from an early stage, with the four-year-old bounding clear well before the turn for home.

From that moment the result was in little doubt and he passed the post 17 lengths clear of Cloone River.