Letter stamps her authority on maiden rivals

Red Letter stepped forward from a very encouraging debut run to readily open her account at the second time of asking in the Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital Irish EBF Fillies Maiden at the Curragh.

Held up towards rear on her initial outing over course and distance last month, the Ger Lyons trained filly came home strongly, only losing out by a head at the line.

Jockey Colin Keane kept it simple this afternoon, jumping smartly and making all the running. Travelling strongly over two furlongs out, Keane extended to go clear on the run-in for a comfortable four-and-a-quarter length success.

The Ross O'Sullivan trained Indigo Dream ran a huge race back in second at 50/1, while Ballet Slippers finished off strongly under Ryan Moore to take third.

“It was no more than you probably expected from her after seeing her on debut the first day,” said Lyons.

“She stepped forward nicely and you'd expect her to win her maiden that way, so we're delighted with her.

“We'll see how she comes out of it before making any plans. I think it's just raw ability at the moment, I don't think she's a two-year-old and I think it's all about next year with her.

“We'll let her tell me what we do with her, whether we bring her back. I'll tell Barry (Mahon) what I'm seeing at home and discuss it with the (Adbullah) family about whether we come back for the Moyglare or something like that.

“She's done a lot quick, we are only in the middle of July. I thought I seen in the parade ring that she's very much on the leg. She looked raw going down to the start and it's pure ability what you are seeing out there.”

Paddy Powers introduced Red Letter into their 1000 Guineas market at 14/1.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.