Prime Art increases her value in Naas

Prime Art progressed to get off the mark on her third start in the opening fillies' maiden at Naas, the first race of an all-juvenile card card at the track.

The 15/2 chance raced in the front rank of this sprint and was shaken up by Ben Coen to lead narrowly on the run to the final furlong.

There were several horses in contention as she came under the whip a furlong down, but she stuck to her task well along the rail to fend off Emerald Banner (4/1) by half a length. Sweetest 5/4f, held every chance a furlong and a-half out, but couldn't go with the front pair in the closing stages and had to settle for third.

Prime Art came in fourth in her first couple of outings at the Curragh and notably here behind subsequent Listed winner Kitty Rose.

“I fancied her the last time and maybe seven stretched her a little bit, but as everyone says it was a very hot race the last day as well,” trainer Johnny Murtagh said.

“She's a nice filly and she's progressing all the time. Ben said she will get seven, but stick to six at the moment.

“I haven't spoken to the owners yet, but maybe we could give her one more run if there is a stakes race for her.

“It's just nice to win another two-year-old maiden, they are hard to win.

“She ran very well the first day and the owners were here the second day, I thought she's nearly win but it was a good race.

“Our two-year-olds seem to be just taking a while to come but they are coming along with racing so we're just going to have to run them and hopefully they improve.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson