Billy Lee controlled things from the front as Excelling Spirit (1/2) pretty convincingly scored on outing number three in the Cork Rocks Music Night July 13th Fillies Maiden.

Second on her previous couple of starts, Excelling Spirit went a place better by a length, as runner-up Shelannga ran on well in the closing stages without ever looking likely to get there.

Said winning trainer Willie McCreery afterwards: "They have done a great job on the track, and every jockey is saying it's good ground so I'm delighted with that.

"With the pedigree she has we'll have to look for a bit of black type with her. It did her no harm getting beaten twice as it's educated her a lot.

"I don't think there is any need to go up in trip with her as she was sharp out and travelled through the race. She doesn't lack pace anyway. She lengthened when Billy asked her, and what more could you ask of her.

"Ideally she would like a bit of ease in the ground. I think it would help her as the last day she didn't let herself down at Fairyhouse but today I thought she did."

J.A. Heffernan, rider of Santa Anna trained by Mrs Caroline McCaldin, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount clipped a heel.

(AM & EM)