Owner Mark Dobbin saw his colours carried to success for the second time at Naas today as 9/4 favourite National Lady delivered in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane.

Redressing the balance somewhat after shocks aplenty early on, the successful first-time hooded National Lady came home strongly on the nearside to defeat Staysound Susie and Tai Tam Bay by three parts of a length and a neck in race four.

Johnny Murtagh has care of Amazing Athena for Mark Dobbin, and that one took the opening event this afternoon at the County Kildare venue in the hands of Ben Coen.

“Maybe I ran her back a bit quick (last time),” said Lyons in the aftermath of the National Lady win.

“She's a big honest filly and Kerri reminded me that I was hard on her at two. You can see the size of her and she's grown into herself.

“James (Ryan) said she got a bit hot down at the start the last day so I put the hood on her just to do something different. The first thing Colin said was that she didn't need a hood, it's the last thing she needs.

“She's as quiet as a lamb, is very honest and six or seven are no problem. I'd have no problem stepping her back up to seven at this stage if we need to. More of the same I'd say.

“Black-type is always on the agenda, but is she good enough? It's one thing doing this but another stepping into that grade. They've to earn it but with a filly it's very important.

“It's nice for Mark having a double today, he deserves it as he puts a lot into the game so I'm delighted for him having a winner in the first with Johnny even though it beat us!

“The horses are running well so I'm delighted. We'll make hay while the sun shines because it won't last forever.”

A.J. Slattery, rider of Staysound Susie, trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left under pressure.

(GC & EM)