Shamrock Breeze blows away rivals in Down Royal opener

Shamrock Breeze justified strong support when making all in the opening Tote Guarantee Available On Course And Tote.ie Maiden at Down Royal.

The Ardad filly was placed on her opening two starts for Ado McGuinness but has since joined Jack Davison and having been available at 3/1 this morning, was further supported on track from 5/2 into 6/5 favourite.

She took control from well over a furlong out and kept on well to beat Billie Be Quick by three and a quarter lengths with Sharkii keeping on a further length and half back in third.

Winning rider Billy Lee said, "She jumped grand, she wasn't hitting the lids but she's very good into stride and she took me forward.

"Jack just said 'don't disappoint her' so I let her go to the front. When she did get to the front, she came back to me and raced really economically.

"Once I got to the bend, and I gave her a kick and she picked up, I knew she was going to be hard to pass.

"She loved the ground and she will probably be chasing black-type now.

"She has a bit of ability, so she was always going to be hard to catch. I thought it was a nice performance, she galloped out well.

"I was surprised at that (swished her tail) because she was racing well for me and I only gave her two flicks behind the saddle. She was giving me everything.

"The ground is good everywhere and a bit quicker down the hill into the road, but everywhere else is good to firm."

Quotes by Michael Graham