Covetous comes home in front under Billy Lee© Photo Healy Racing
The easy to back Covetous led home her sixteen rivals in the Next Racing At Fairyhouse The Return Of The Jumps October 7th Maiden.
The Willie McCreery trained bay was third on her last three starts, and was as short as 7/4 in early shows for this seven furlong contest.
However, punters didn't want to know about the daughter of Medaglia D'oro, as she went to post a 5/1 chance under Billy Lee in the colours of Godolphin.
In front after a furlong and a half, the bay victor was ridden and pressed with under two furlongs left to race. She found plenty for pressure and stayed on best inside the final furlong to fend off all challengers. Bay Of Skaill who was a 9/2 co-favourite of three, filled the runner-up spot, three parts of a length back under Gary Carroll for Joe Murphy. Sally Gap (15/2) was another half a length away in third for Colin Keane and Tom McCourt, while the other co-favourites, Balanced Approach and At Your Service (backed from 8s on-course), were fourth and seventh respectively.
"She's probably the best bred filly here today as Jealous Again (the dam) was Wesley Ward's first Royal Ascot winner," said McCreery.
"She's bred to go on firm ground over five furlongs and she wins on bottomless ground over seven, so you never know!
"I'm glad to get her head in front because she's a very valuable filly now with a win under her belt. We'll try and nudge a bit of black-type if we can."
STEWARDS REPORT
C.D. Hayes, rider of Lady Kimberley trained by W.T. Farrell, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran green.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
