Apprentice jockey Sam James did his future prospects no harm with a strong ride on Obligada to defeat Pat Smullen, on Honey Of A Kitten by a neck to win the Naas Racecourse on Facebook Race at Naas today.

The 5lb claimer produced the daughter of Beat Hollow to lead narrowly two furlongs out, before staying on under a competent ride for a neck win over Smullen’s mount.

Winning trainer Kevin Prendergast was not immediately available for comment but James Kelly, Racing Manager to winning owner Lady O’Reilly, said “we’ll step her up to 1m2f soon and, as her dam won six races from 1m6f to two miles, she’ll eventually step 1m4f. Lady O’Reilly is keen to get blacktype for her too.”

Thomas Weekes