French looks smart on debut French Blue pulled away in good style to make an impressive debut in the fillies maiden at Dundalk. The seven-furlong contest was won by Oaks heroine Qualify last season and may have produced another smart sort in the Willie McCreery-trained Godolphin filly. Billy Lee produced the daughter of Iffraaj to challenge on the outer passing the two furlong pole and she hit the front over a furlong out. The 5/1 shot powered clear inside the final furlong to beat 7/4 favourite Way To My Heart by four-and-a-quarter lengths. "She's a little bit leery at home so we stuck a hood on. She's a grand filly but is just very green at home," said McCreery. "With the way the ground has been I hadn't the chance to get her away from home and was a bit worried about that but Billy gave her a lovely kind ride. "She's a little bit hot at home and the lads have done a good job with her. I'm delighted. "Billy thought she'd stay a mile and she really quickened away from them there."
