Apricot Twist bolts up on debut

The well backed 11/8 favourite Apricot Twist fairly routed her rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

The ten-strong field split into two groups and the Juddmonte-owned debutant, whose dam Erysimum was a Listed winner for Willie McCreery, was always in the front rank in her group of six on the far side.

Colin Keane let her go at the two pole and she opened up to slam Mount Ruapehu by seven and a half lengths.

Winning trainer Ger Lyons said: "She’s a lovely filly and I’ve liked her from day one. We have literally given her six weeks cantering and haven’t worked her.

“She is after blossoming and I said we’d run her here and if she wins she wins, not expecting her to do that.

“I think the boys bought two Expert Eye’s for the farm this year and both of them have won.

“We’ll let her progress and no doubt it will be black type. She’s not entered in any early closing races. The rules with Juddmonte horses are they have to earn the right but they won’t be afraid to supplement if needed.

“She’ll get a bit further but we don’t need to do anything with the trip at the moment.”

The winner has an entry in the valuable Ballyhane Stakes at Naas on August 1st. The same connections won the race last year with Sacred Bridge

Quotes from Alan Magee