Attention brings Focus on Lynam & Downey

The Eddie Lynam trained Focus Of Attention came out on top in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

The daughter of Intense Focus wasn't beaten far into seventh on her debut at the Curragh, again filling that position on her next start at Roscommon.

Her second effort came over seven furlongs, and back down to five today she was sent off a 9/1 chance under Robbie Downey.

Settled behind the leaders, the chestnut victor was ridden in pursuit of the leader from over a furlong out, staying on best in the closing stages to prevail by half a length.

The 2/1 favourite (from 7/2) Shinko Princess was the one reeled-in, and she had to settle for second under Declan McDonogh for Christy Donoghue. Court Queen (9/1) was another length and a quarter back in third with Chris Hayes in the saddle for Fozzy Stack.

Lynam, who also saddled the fourth and fifth (Clare Island and Slumming Angel said afterwards: "It's the first horse that three lads (Peter Fagan, Niall O'Rourke & Jack Wallis) that work in London have with me.

"She's a well-bred filly. She has a good attitude and it was nice to win a race and she might win another one hopefully.

"She saw it out well, she's learning as she goes along."

"There are not many of these races left and these are horses that have had little issues along the way. This filly is a big filly and took a bit of time.

"It's a nice track, I haven't been here in a while. When the chances are there you have to take them."

The winner was sold for E50,000 as a yearling, and she is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Tobann.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham