Star shines brightest in Curragh opener

The opening race at the Curragh, the Foleys Antiques EBF Fillies 2yo Maiden, was run in heavy rain as the 11/4 joint favourite Starbright came good under Chris Hayes for her trainer Kevin Prendergast.

The daughter of Duke Of Marmalade finished second on her two previous starts behind Reglisse on her debut at Leopardstown over seven furlongs and behind Hint Of A Tint over six furlongs at the Curragh last time out.

Stepped up in trip to a mile this afternoon she settled behind the leaders in the early stages and was seventh at halfway.

She made headway into fifth three furlongs out before being ridden into second and stayed on to lead over a furlong from home.

She kept on well in front to score by a length at the line from the Ger Lyons trainer newcomer Harmonic Note in second at 25/1 under Gary Carroll.

The Jim Bolger trained newcomer Rehn's Nest finished a further two and three parts of a length back in third under Kevin Manning at 8/1 while the other 11/4 joint favourite, Wishing finished down the field.

Prendergast said afterwards: "She'll be better when the she gets better ground.

"She travelled well throughout the race today and she will be back here for her next race in the Moyglare Stakes."

The ground was changed to soft after the race from the original yielding description.

(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)