1-3 for Murtagh and Fitzwilliam Racing in Naas opener

Always on the front end Emily Grace made a bold bid in the Welcome To Naas Racecourse Nursery Handicap (Plus 10 Race) but she was denied at the finish by Johnny Murtagh's Dancing Mountain

Niall McCullagh got the Fitzwilliam Racing 2018-owned daughter of Kodiac there in time to prevail by a head in this five and a half furlong contest.

Fitzwilliam and Murtagh also had the third home, So Familiar

Murtagh, enjoying this best season numerically since taking out a trainer's licence, said: "It's very hard to find these races. There is not many of those low grade handicaps (for two-year-olds). We have a lot of them that need it.

"She's big and she's weak and I think there is a lot more to come from her. Niall said she's probably strengthened up. She's put on ten kilos so maybe she was a bit weak earlier in the year. She's fast but Niall said she'll get six no problem.

"Shane (B Kelly) said the ground was a little bit quick for the third (So Familiar) but I'm delighted with her as well."

(AM & EM)