Star Kissed (left) © Photo Healy Racing
The 8/13 favourite Star Kissed runner-up in two outings last year, was a workmanlike winner of the concluding Compas Stallions Maiden.
The half-sister to winning trainer Ger Lyons' Group 3 winner Thunder Kiss tracked the pace and led travelling well over 2f out but had to be kept up to her work by Colin Keane to beat Douglas Dc and The Gossiper by a length and half and two and a half lengths.
It was a double for Keane after Tawaazon in the sprint handicap.
Assistant trainer Shane Lyons remarked: "That's job done. We were delighted that the race was put back on after Saturday as there are no races for four-year-old and upwards maiden until, I think it's the 8th of May.
“I'm not saying she's ground dependent but she's a big filly and would appreciate a cut. We were very worried that we'd have to wait for so long for the next maiden.
“The whole objective was for her to come today and get her maiden out of the way and then progress.
“She took two good heaves and she's still very green so hopefully the race will bring her on an awful lot.
“Onwards and upwards with her and the aim is black-type but we'll take it from here.”
Quotes from Gary Carroll
