Royal Canford regal out in front Royal Canford got the job done, on her 15th start, in the opening maiden at the Curragh. Billy Lee's mount bounced out very smartly from stall 12 and dictated the pace in this six-furlong contest. The 3/1 favourite was a length clear at the halfway stage and increased her advantage approaching the final quarter of a mile, as the opposition came off the bridle. The daughter of Canford Cliffs kept up the gallop on this rain-softened ground to oblige by two and a half lengths from Miacomet (5/1) who came home best of the rest. There was a three-length gap back to third-placed Abanica also at 5/1. Willie McCreery said: “I’m delighted for her owner/breeder Michael O’Donnell who is a local man from up near the Hill of Allen and has been very patient with her. “She ran a cracker the last day in Listowel and I’d say the bit of ease in the ground helped her. She works well at home from the front so we let her rattle. “She’s a very sound filly and it’s great to get a maiden win with her.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
