Anthem Alexander is ridden out close home by Pat Smullen© Photo Healy Racing
Anthem Alexander battled her way to victory in the feature at Naas today, the Group 3 Racing Post Lacken Stakes, scoring under Pat Smullen for Eddie Lynam (completing a double on the card after winning the opener with Ortiga .
Making her seasonal debut the daughter of Starspangledbanner proved easy to back, opening at 6/4 last night before going off a 5/2 chance.
Settled in rear she took closer order from three furlongs out and was pushed along to challenge with under two furlongs to race.
She went in pursuit of The Happy Prince from a furlong out, getting to the front with 100 yards to race before going on to win by a length in the colours of Noel O'Callaghan.
The Happy Prince, who was backed from 9/2 to 7/2 on-course, had to settle for second under Joseph O'Brien for his father Aidan after he attempted to make all. Toscanini was sent off the 11/8 favourite and he was a further length and three parts back in third under James Doyle for Mick Halford.
Eddie Lynam said afterwards: "I'm relieved more than anything and know she has trained on. That run will do her the world of good.
"If I have my way she will go for the Commonwealth but she is also entered in the Kings Stand and the other option is to run in both.
"We know she doesn't like soft or heavy ground and we know she wants good or firm, so we wanted to run her here to see where we could draw a line in the sand.
"I think the world of her but sooner or later you have to run and go and prove it. I think that was a good trial and it was run two seconds faster than the other six furlong races. Lets hope we are lucky at Ascot with her."
Commonwealth Cup: 8/1 (from 10/1) with Boylesports, 8/1 (from 12/1) Betfair, 6/1 (from 14/1) Paddy Power.
Kings Stand: 16/1 (from 20/1) Boylesports
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
