There was a family success for the Faheys of Monasterevin in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 4-y-o Fillies Flat Race when Battling Bessie ridden by Aoife in the colours of her mother Suzanne and trained by her father Jarlath, made all the running to win on debut at 18/1.

The winner was in the front rank throughout and, despite having run freely in the early stages, she showed a willing attitude down the home straight to see off the persistent challenge of fellow outsider Skinnider (22/1) by half a length.

“I'm delighted to get that winner for my daughter Aoife as she has gone close on a good few occasions but that's her first winner,” said winning trainer Jarlath Fahey.

"She is a great girl around the yard, does an impeccable job in turning out horses for years and has gone close on a number of occasions but getting across the line was brilliant.

"She has always shown promise at home, we knew she was fairly good but with the restrictions we weren't able to get her away as much as we'd liked to educate her.

"I was a bit concerned about the drying ground as she'd like it deeper. She's from a very good family and there are a few winners' bumpers at the end of the month.

"She has schooled over hurdles and while we're not normally a selling yard, my own two girls are working full-time in the yard now and we'd be open to offers for her. I'm not normally anxious to sell but if we get a decent offer we'd contemplate it."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes