Easy for Treasure in Down Royal opener

Treasure Trove made the breakthrough on her fourth start, as she ran out an easy winner of the opener at Down Royal, the G. Dunlop Electrical Maiden.

The Paddy Twomey trained chestnut was fifth of seven to Albany Stakes winner Mediate in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month and taking a significant drop in class this evening, she was expected to deliver.

Sent off the 8/11 favourite under Chris Hayes, she was settled behind the leaders, coming with her challenge on the outside with just under two furlongs to race.

Pushed along to lead over a furlong from home, she soon shot clear, coming home four-and-a-half lengths to the good in the colours of Merry Fox Stud Limited.

The well-backed Thunderbear (10/1 from 50s) ran a fine race to finish second under Luke McAteer for Jack Davison, while Sioux Sweet (50/1) was another length-and-three-parts back in third.

Hayes said in the aftermath: "A very nice filly. The ground is riding a bit on the slow side and I'd say she probably would have been more impressive if it was a sounder surface.

"Job done and good to get a winner for Paddy, he's a stable in form and any day he asks you to ride one is a good day.

"I'd say she probably is a Stakes filly, to what level I don't know, but it will be on a very fast surface."

STEWARDS REPORTS

D.P. McDonogh, rider of Sam's Xpress trained by Kieran P. Cotter, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran keen.

J. Coen, rider of Sarcastic trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount jumped the road crossing.

M.P. Sheehy, rider of Hilltop Gold (GB) trained by James McAuley, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount fly leaped out of the starting stalls.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham