Garden Of Eden shows her battling qualities at Naas

Garden Of Eden rallied to winning effect for 7lb claimer Jack Cleary in the opening juvenile fillies' maiden over seven furlongs at Naas.

This race was the subject of a stewards enquiry as Medici Venus was badly hampered between Celtic Motif who was leaning in on her outer and Twolatebabydoll who went for a gap on her inner at the furlong pole.

Medici Venus lost all chance when she dropped to fourth and it was Celtic Motif who took a narrow lead off front-running Garden of Eden who avoided most of the trouble on the rail. Twolatebabydoll was still in their pitching as the trio fought their way to the line.

Garden Of Eden found that bit more close home under Cleary to grab the spoils by a head at 18/1. This was a significant improvement on her unplaced run on debut at Leopardstown.

The stewards reversed the placings of the second and third home, so Twolatebabydoll (18/1 - 12/1) was promoted to second and Celtic Motif (9/2) was demoted to third.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “They both (winner and Medici Venus) ran in the same maiden at Leopardstown which was probably a decent enough maiden, and they went a hectic pace throughout.

“They were both unbelievably green and have come forward nicely at home and stepped up again there on the track.

“Jack said she’s very, very tough and kept fighting all the way for him. He set a nice even tempo in front and when challengers came, she picked up and went again.

“She’ll probably step up to a mile later in the season and is a nice filly to look forward to for next year.

“It’s great to get the Goffs (€50,000) bonus which is a great incentive from Goffs and is greatly appreciated by everybody.”

Garden Of Eden holds an entry in the Goffs Million at the Curragh next month.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee