Bonny Power scores for Lynam and Hayes

Well held in three nursery starts at Dundalk in the latter months of 2022, Bonny Power (11/1) got off the mark in the opening five-furlong maiden under a patient steer from Chris Hayes.

There was plenty of pace on up front which got market leader On Our Radar out of his comfort zone but Bonny Power was able to ease into contention towards the stands' side in the straight and led inside the final furlong. The daughter of Twilight Son kept on well to beat the 6/5 favourite and promising newcomer Royal Pompom (ran green) by a length and a half and the same.

The 61-rated Bonny Power had been placed once in eight previous outings, that coming when runner-up at Down Royal in September.

Winning trainer Eddie Lynam said: "Yes (experience stood to her) and back to five furlongs.

"Amy (Lynam, daughter) picked her out as a yearling, there was a supplementary catalogue and she picked her out for me. Amy has bought me a couple of good horses - Soffia and Romantic Proposal.

"This isn't in their league, but I thought last year she was going to be okay and she would win. Then she disappointed a few times here over six.

"She was second in Down Royal (in September) behind Willie McCreery's horse (Ocean Jewel) who would be a black-type horse and we were hoping she could return to that run.

"She's small, but she is all there.

"It is always good to win with these colours, they have been good to me."

Quotes from Michael Graham