Threeandfourpence (white face) is ridden out by Seamie Heffernan to beat Miss Zizi© Photo Healy Racing
The 1/2 favourite Threeandfourpence (5/4 in early shows) just prevailed in the opener at Fairyhouse, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
A good second to Gobi Desert on debut at the Curragh last month, the Aidan O'Brien trained bay was expected to go one place better this afternoon.
Settled in mid-division by Seamie Heffernan, the son of War Front was pushed along from early in the straight. He was ridden on the outer with under two furlongs left to race, and soon hit top gear. Miss Zizi proved a tough nut to crack inside the final furlong, and the winner had to battle to get past her, with just a short head separating the duo at the line.
The runner-up was returned at 14/1 under Declan McDonogh for John Oxx, while 50/1 chance Julia's Magic ran a cracker to finish third, another two and three parts of a length away with Leigh Roche in the saddle for Denise Foster. Zeb City who was backed from 20s to 14s on-course was fourth, while Papa Stour (20s last night and from 10s to 7s on-course) was a disappointing ninth.
"I'm delighted with him. We were a little bit worried about the ground," said O'Brien.
"He came forward nicely from his first run and he won't mind stepping back up to seven.
"We'll see how he is and it's very possible he could run again."
The winner is a full-brother to Group 1 winners Hit It A Bomb and Brave Anna.
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Just Waterville, trained by William Durkan, as the vaccinations contained in the Passport for this horse were incorrect for the second successive occasion. Furthermore, in accordance with Rule 90, the Stewards fined the trainer E350.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
