Off Limits (red cap) gets home from Zannda (nearest)© Photo Healy Racing
The David Wachman-trained Off Limits stayed on gamely to prevail in a tight finish to the opening fillies maiden at Leopardstown this afternoon.
3/1 favourite Outstanding soon went to the front in the mile contest and it looked like a battle between herself and newcomer Knocknagree going to the furlong pole.
Knocknagree got to the front inside the final furlong but couldn't hold the late charges of Off Limits and Zannda who swooped in the last 50 yards.
Off Limits just held Zannda by a short-head at the line with Knocknagree relegated to third. Facade ran on to finish fourth ahead of Ballydoyle stable-mate Outstanding.
The stewards had a look at the finish with Knocknagree running around and hampering Outstanding on the rail in the closing stages while the winner also drifted left shutting the door on Facade close home.
The placings remained unaltered.
The 7/2 winner had shaped with plenty of promise when fourth on her debut at the Curragh earlier this month.
“She had a nice run first time and progressed well. She had a poor draw but jumped out and travelled well,” said winning rider Billy Lee afterwards.
“She saw out the trip all the way to the line and just held on. She'll be a nice filly for next year.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
