Easy for Zoe in Down Royal finale

A classy performer over flights, Magical Zoe comfortably accounted for her seven rivals in the concluding Jack Murphy Jewellers Maiden.

Tried in Listed company on her Flat debut at Cork in April, the Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old finished a highly creditable fifth of 12, with some smart performers in behind.

Expected to make the breakthrough today, the Shantou bay was sent off the clear favourite at 1/4 and raced in mid-division under Billy Lee.

Angled to the outer from early in the straight, the Patrick and Scott Bryceland-owned victor travelled best to lead from the furlong pole and readily stretched clear, coming home two-and-a-quarter lengths to the good.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Stariam (13/2) filled the runner-up spot, while 40/1 outsider Nelson Muntz was half-a-length away in third.

"Henry was just a little bit worried about the ground being a bit lively. She seemed to handle it fine," Lee commented.

"She's a classy mare over them, she travelled lovely. A little bit fresh and Henry said she was just coming back off a break.

"He just wanted to keep it as easy as possible. He said 'try and ride it like a bit of work' and I was trying to just keep her as easy as I possibly could, so she won with plenty in hand.

"You could (see her going for some nice pots on the Flat), she travels well and she is not a huge National Hunt mare, but she is the right size for a Flat mare and she is good and strong and travels well.

"Hopefully, Henry has a few ideas for her and we'll see where we go from here."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham