Pandora Lovegood powers through the testing ground© Photo Healy Racing
Joe Murphy's Pandora Lovegood justified favouritism on her third start in the extended seven furlong auction series maiden at Roscommon.
She was drawn 10 but broke smartly for Gary Carroll and picked up the lead after a furlong from Palace Gardens
The Fast Company filly made the rest and hugged the bend well turning for home as a couple of her rivals - Texas Boy and Who Not W hat in particular - failed to negotiate it.
The leader was ridden a furlong and a half out and her rivals on the stretch entering the final furlong. The 3/1 shot kept on strongly to draw five lengths clear from Texas Boy (7/2). Ard Mhacha (40/1) was a head behind the runner-up.
She had been sixth over a similar trip on debut at this track last month before a close third at Limerick earlier in June.
Joe Murphy jnr said: “She's a nice filly. She had two good runs and was probably entitled to, at least, be in the first three but we didn't think she'd be quite as impressive as that.
“She's a Fast Company filly and loved the ground. She's very genuine, we'll see how she comes out of it but maybe the nursery at Galway might be a nice option for her.
“She's still a bit on the weak side so we could put her away for an autumn campaign as she enjoys that cut in the ground.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
