Smullen's Pride avails of a good opportunity

Smullen's Pride who had been placed three times over the minimum trip, duly got off the mark in the Irish Stallion Farms Irish EBF Maiden at Down Royal.

Dylan Browne McMonagle had the Exceed And Excel filly prominent throughout and she picked up the lead after a quarter of a mile.

He kept the 5/2jf up to her work in the final furlong to score by half a length from Keke (9/1) who finished well for second. Cross Border 5/2jf, was a short head back in third.

Trainer Johnny Feane said:"She was entitled to win that. It was an ideal opportunity.

"She had a couple of little problems throughout the year, so I didn't get to run her.

"Drawn wide and she pinged the gates, travelled really well and picked up well.

"There's a 50-90 here in a few weeks for three-year-olds only and we'll come back for that."