Nimbostratus and Colin Keane (right) beat Hazel © Photo Healy Racing
Nimbostratus (13/8) made all and was very game under pressure in the National Defense Irish EBF 2-y-o Fillies’ Maiden.
The odds-on favourite Hazel a much bigger filly than the winner, sat second and looked to be going best racing to the final quarter mile as Colin Keane went for the whip first on his mount.
The daughter of Wootton Bassett, third on debut behind Most Beautiful at Naas, really responded well to her rider's urgings and Hazel, ridden by Wayne Lordan, just couldn’t muster enough to get by her.
There was half a length in it at the line. Nothing else really got into the contest with Boasting doing next best in third.
The winner cost £65,000 at Goffs Uk Premier Yearling Sale at Doncaster last August.
Winning trainer Ger Lyons’ brother and assistant Shane Lyons said: "We're delighted, she was very brave there, stuck her head out and battled on well.
“She's by Wootton Bassett, who we like. By all accounts they like a little bit of cut in the ground and it was beautiful out there.
“She's come on immensely from her first run, which ours do, and she'll improve again.
“The ultimate is always getting black-type. She improved from her first run and if she does that again we are on the right road anyway.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
