Bay bounces back from ban to score

The Johnny Murtagh-trained Tobacco Bay quickened up smartly inside the final furlong to land the opening maiden at Tipperary this afternoon.

5/4 favourite Jet Streaming was soon to the fore in the seven-furlong contest but gave way a furlong-and-a-half from home. Yulong Baokui got to the front briefly but Tobacco Bay had travelled well to challenge and was asked to hit the front just inside the final furlong by Seamie Heffernan.

The Dark Angel filly soon put the race to bed and was stretching clear at the line for a two-and-three-quarter length success at odds of 3/1.

The winner was making her first start since being banned for 42 days at Dundalk on February 24th.

She was found guilty of a breach of the new 'non-triers rule' after finishing fifth in an all-weather maiden.

"She is delicate but has a bit of ability. Seamie said she relaxed very well today and was able to finish off the race well,” said Murtagh.

"I don't have any other plans but hopefully she can progress through the year and she might make into a Stakes filly later on.

"I don't like guessing what ground they like, until you run them and coming here I thought it was 50/50 but he (Heffernan) said she handled the ground well today."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)