The opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden at Wexford today went to the Christy Roche trained Madeira Girl (11/4), who benefited from three previous runs to score under Fran Berry.

The daughter of Bachelor Duke improved to lead under two furlongs out and stayed on well under pressure inside the final furlong to hold the challenge of 2/1 favourite Miss Forde by half a length.

Afterwards Roche stated “that was a weak little affair but the drop of rain last night did her no harm - she'll go for a handicap next.

“She is owned by Comerford brothers (Comerford Brothers Ltd) who own Comerford Cakes in Newbridge, hense the name Madeira Girl! They are big into dogs but this is a new venture for them.”

Roche subsequently visited the press room where he jokingly volunteered “I got a great kick out of beating my master (Jim Bolger, trainer of runner-up Miss Forde) – ye can put that into ye're stories!”