Familiar Story in Leopardstown opener

Aidan O'Brien saddled a pair of debutants in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden and they occupied the first two positions, but not in the order the market suggested.

Ridden by Wayne Lordan and returned a 5/1 chance (touched 9s early), Bedtime Story came out on top, leading home 8/11 favourite (drifted from 8/13) Giselle

By Frankel and out of dual Group 1 winner Mecca's Angel, the winner was settled in mid-division on the outer and was pushed along in fifth on the approach to the straight.

Soon taking closer order, she was ridden to challenge just inside the furlong pole and got to the front with less than 100 yards to race, going on to prevail by a length-and-a-quarter.

While she had every chance, Giselle couldn't match the winner in the closing stages and had to settle for second, with the front-running Queens Fury another half-a-length away in third.

Chris Armstrong, representing O’Brien, said: "They are two lovely fillies going forward. There wasn't much between them at home, and it was a tough choice for Ryan.

"Both fillies were quite green through the race and Wayne's filly probably got an easier run at it.

"Before the race they were both in the mix for the Chesham and you can't really take much away from Ryan's filly. We'll see how they come through it and at the moment they are both in the mix.

"Wayne said when she steps up in trip again, she will be a fine filly for the backend.

"She has plenty of class and has an unbelievable pedigree."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident on the turn into the straight involving Giselle, ridden by R.L. Moore, placed second, and Vega's Muse (GB), ridden by S. Foley, placed sixth, where it appeared Giselle got tight for room on the rail. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. R.L. Moore said his filly overreacted when he received a bit of pressure from his right. S. Foley said his mount leaned in on the bend into the straight for a stride but he corrected her immediately. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards took no further action. Mr. G.V. Magee recused himself from this enquiry.

S. Foley, rider of Vega's Muse (GB), trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran green and lugged left.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee