Iiex Excelsa battled back gamely to gain the day in the opening seven furlong maiden at Cork this afternoon.

The Fozzy Stack-trained filly was backed from 13/2 this morning and eventually went to post a 3/1 shot having traded as short as 13/8.

Chris Hayes bounced out and made the running on the Excelebration filly and she was tackled by Luzum a furlong-and-a-half from home.

The pair had a terrific duel inside the final furlong with the Dermot Weld-trained Luzum gaining a narrow lead.

Iiex Excelsa stuck to her task well, however, and gained a narrow advantage again in the closing stages to post a half-length win.

The winner had finished last of ten on her sole start at the Curragh last season and Hayes said:-

"She is a nice filly and we liked her and fancied her on debut at the Curragh but she never really turned up on the day.

“There was no real excuse and Fozzy put it down to stage-fright. She has been working very well recently.

"That wasn't ideal as I had to make it on her and she was loafing around. It wasn't until the other horse went by me that she started racing and her attitude was brilliant.

"It's very testing ground and she handled it well." Scream easy to back in the morning (9/4 to 7/2), was the one for money on track and went to post the 7/4 favourite. She could only finish fifth.

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)