Erysimum in full bloom at Sligo

Erysimum sluiced through the heavy ground in Sligo as she bolted up in the opening seven furlong auction maiden for three-year-olds.

The 8/13 favourite bounced away smartly to dispute the lead with Set To Fire With over half a mile to race she led on her own and at the three pole was chased by Zebgrey in second as Set To Fire weakened to third.

Zebgrey came off the bridle approaching the two marker and Erysimum soon moved clear. She was in complete control entering the straight and powered away to stop the clock 17 lengths up on Zebgrey (11/1).

This was a drop back in trip for Erysimum after finishing runner-up in an extended mile handicap at Cork on heavy ground in March.

Trainer Willie McCreery said: “I picked out this race at it was important to get a win for her. She’s a homebred and I think she’s a nice filly. Champagne Or Water won this race two years ago.

“She doesn’t need heavy ground but I knew it wouldn’t affect her. She’s a very honest filly and Billy kept it simple.

"I thought she ran a blinder in Cork, I don't think she blew up in Cork. I thought the ground was probably a bit soft and probably a bit far for her. She's a big-striding filly and she did what I expected.

"There's a nice fillies' handicap on Derby weekend but we won't kill her with races. We'll just let her grow into herself. She'll be a nice filly next year again."

Billy Lee added: "Jumped off and she travelled away. She loved that ground, she gets through it well. I just knew the last day that I didn't get home. Today she stayed to the line really well. I'd say seven is her trip on proper ground.

"That day in Cork was near unraceable so you would forgive her for that so delighted she won. Her form was solid, on paper it was the best form in the book. You couldn't shy away from it."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee