Cuff gets favourite backers off to good start

Cuff just lasted home to open her account in the fillies maiden at Naas this evening.

The Ballydoyle filly was an easy to back 15/8 favourite for the six-furlong contest having traded as short as 10/11 before racing.

Aidan O'Brien 's charge had run greenly on her debut when a staying on fourth at Navan and again showed signs of inexperience.

Seamus Heffernan's mount was prominent and ran freely early. She disputed from halfway but ran around when asked for an effort a furlong-and-a-half from home.

The Galileo filly stuck on well inside the final furlong, however, and just held the late charge of Ger Lyons' newcomer Wayside Flower by a short-head.

"She's still very green and Seamie did very well on her and looked after her. She's still a bit of a baby,” said O'Brien.

"She hit the gates but will have learned plenty. She could come back here for the Stakes race (Naas Juvenile Fillies Sprint on May 29th), and hopefully will get a lead then."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)