Wannabe sheds her maiden tag in style

Wannabe Better shed her maiden tag in style as she ran out an easy winner of the last at Naas, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

The Tommy Stack trained daughter of Duke Of Marmalade had been a frustrating horse for connections as she struggled to get off the mark despite putting in good efforts in defeat.

On her ninth career start she was well-supported today, and after opening at 5/1 on-course she was sent off a 10/3 chance under Wayne Lordan.

Having raced in second for much of the contest, she hit the front two furlongs out and was ridden clear over a furlong from home, keeping on strongly to record an easy seven and a half length success. La Femme finished back in second at 20/1 under Shane Foley for Mick Halford, while Lapis Blue was three parts of a length back in third under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld at 14/1. Rebel Force and A Star Is Born were sent off the 5/2 joint-favourites but they could only manage fourth and fifth respectively.

Tommy Stack said afterwards: "I'm pleased with the way she won today. Maybe she just needed a bit of time."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee