Expensive-filly Zagitova sheds maiden tag in good style

Those who played the short odds on Zagitova in the opener at Cork never had a moment's worry as she readily drew clear under Donnacha O'Brien.

The Galileo filly, who cost 1.6 million Guineas as a yearling finished second on debut at Newmarket last month and the market expected her to oblige as she went off at 3/10 for this mile maiden for juvenile fillies.

She broke smartly in tandem with Bandiuc Eile and soon grabbed the lead.

She travelled sweetly into the straight and was then pushed along to assert from Bandiuc Eile over a furlong out.

O'Brien didn't have to get serious with her in the final furlong as she bounded away to easily score by four and a half lengths.

Bandiuc Eile finished second at 7/1 with For Your Eyes making late headway for third also at 7/1.

Aidan O'Brien said: “It was a nice experience for her going around a right-hand bend. She had a nice run the first day and showed the benefit of it.

"It was nice to get the maiden into her. She’s in all the races and the Debutante is probably where she will go next.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee