In-form Deegan sends out another winner

Second favourite Corail (3/1) turned over 3s on chance Mulkeyya in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden at Limerick.

Chris Hayes rode the twice previously raced daughter of Lope De Vega, for Lady O'Reilly and Paul Deegan, and they led two furlongs out. From there the hooded Corail saw it out better than the Weld/Smullen hope, Mulkeyya, by a length and a quarter. Out Of Context kept on well for third, a neck adrift.

"I had this race in mind from the turn of the year. Obviously I was hugely worried about Mr Weld's filly though," acknowledged Deegan.

"She showed plenty last year and I always thought she'd be a better three-year-old.

"She didn't grow as much as a I thought, but she did grow some and strengthen.

"I'll speak to James Kelly and Lady O'Reilly but the Guineas Trial could be her next race.

"She's a smart filly and she'd be better with a step-up in trip. Mentally she'll mature more." (TW & EM)