Ceol proves too good for Waitaki

Ceol An Ghra got off the mark on her fourth career start as she took the Coral.ie Bet 5 Get 20 In Free Bets EBF Fillies Maiden under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger.

Sixth, second and sixth on her three starts last season, the daughter of Teofilo was sent off a 3/1 chance today.

Settled behind the leaders in third, she was ridden under two furlongs out, staying on best inside the final furlong to get the better of Waitaki by half a length.

The runner-up was returned the 7/4 favourite under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld. Sufoof (2/1) completed the placings a further three and a half lengths back in third under Chris Hayes for Kevin Prendergast.

Jim Bolger said afterwards: "Her trip is a mile but we thought this would take a bit of getting today. We will be looking at Stakes races with her now."

The winner holds an entry in the Group 3 Canford Cliffs EBF Athasi Stakes over the course in May.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee