Encosta another for Hayes

Encosta (5/2) was a third winner on the Down Royal card for Chris Hayes in the Irish EBF Auction Series Fillies' Maiden.

Having tracked the leaders travelling well, the Mukhadram filly went past market rival Alabama Pearl (9/4 fav) inside the final furlong to win by two and a quarter lengths. Outsider La Tulipe Noire stayed on for third, another three parts of a length back.

The winner had been placed on her first two starts.

Noel Meade said: "She's a nice filly and we've always thought a lot of her and she didn't cost a lot of money, so she gets into those races.

"She'll go to the final now in Naas and I think we will leave her for the winter, she's a big filly.

"I think she will handle soft ground well.

"She has been picking up every time."

Quotes from Michael Graham