North Africa and Wayne Lordan © Photo Healy Racing
The Aidan O'Brien trained North Africa made all the running under Wayne Lordan to win the Bellewstown Inn Maiden at the County Meath track.
Twice a runner-up earlier in the season, the daughter of Galileo benefitted from stepping up to a-mile-and-a-half for the first time this afternoon.
Well away from stalls, Lordan set steady fractions on the 4/1 chance, finding plenty for pressure when challenged early in the straight.
Market leader Radar Ahead looked to be travelling stronger when edging up to throw down a challenge over two furlongs out but the Joseph O'Brien trained filly had no more to offer inside the final furlong.
Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: "In fairness to her, she has been running well in decent enough maidens.
"The winning of the race was a fantastic ride that Wayne gave her. He got the fractions spot on and, in fairness, he kept enough up his sleeve. At the three (pole), he was just able to quicken it a bit more and coming down the hill he kept increasing and increasing it.
"She's a consistent filly and, if she comes out of it well, we'll maybe look at the Garnet Stakes in Naas, and see if we can get a bit of black-type. Then that would be job done.
"She did (handle the ground) - she's a typical Galileo and they always do their best for you."
Additional reporting my Michael Graham.
