d'Or finally opens for Grassick's Gazelle

The Michael Grassick trained Gazelle d'Or made her previous experience count when keeping on best close home to win the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden at Bellewstown.

Having her sixth start under rules, the 10/3 chance was quickly into stride under Rory Cleary, tracking leader Bobbi Rosa early on.

Travelling the better of that pair entering the straight, Cleary bided his time before challenging the latter over a furlong out.

Edging ahead over 150 yards from the finish, the 74-rated winner kept on well to score by half-a-length from Bobbi Rosa.

Race favourite Fiona MacCoul never looked comfortable dropping back in trip but plugged on late inside the final furlong to take minor honours.

Rory Cleary said: "A nice filly and she showed plenty of boot from the gates, travelled good and strong. Ben Coen's mount (Bobbi Rosa) brought us along fairly well all the way.

"I was fairly confident going to the road that she was going to pick up Ben easy, and just battled to get by Ben a little bit. She went by him fairly easy and won the race nicely.

"All her runs so far have been very good sort of runs even stepped up in class - she is still running respectably well. The experience in the Sales race (at Naas) has definitely stood to her.

"I think five is her minimum trip, so when she goes six or seven she will be okay."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.