Lebanon battles well in opener

The Patrick Prendergast-trained Cedars Of Lebanon stuck on gamely to land the spoils in the opener at Bellewstown.

The Dandy Man filly showed good early speed to grab the lead in the extended seven-furlong contest and answered very call from Chris Hayes in the closing stages. Syrena chased throughout and threw down a strong challenge over a furlong from home but couldn't find a way past Cedars Of Lebanon, who held her at bay by half a length.

The front pair pulled seven-and-a-half lengths clear of 6/4 favourite Frosty Beach

The 12/1 winner was having her fourth outing and had been runner-up on her debut at Dundalk back in April. She was fourth behind Yolo Again at Navan on her most recent outing last month.

Prendergast said:- "I'd say the first and second are two nice animals but mine is going to be a very nice mile and a quarter or mile and a half filly next year.

“She showed me a lot of toe early on and then disappointed but she grew and kept staying better and better.

"The last day she stayed on at the death so we said this was as close to a mile as we could get this time of year.

"I'm going to ease off her now as that's her fourth run. I was worried about the ground but Dave Keena (part owner) being a local kept a good eye on it and said they were doing a great job watering it.

"To be fair to Bellewstown they are putting some of our bigger, better budget tracks to shame. It's a marvellous effort because we are in a drought."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)