Kitten collects in Naas opener

Pay Day Kitten made a successful return to action when claiming the opening mile median auction maiden at Naas.

Pat Smullen prouduced the American-bred filly to challenge Hold The Line over a furlong out and she got on top in the closing stages for a half length success.

The runner-up had been the horse for money, backed from 4/1 into 3/1 favourite, while Dermot Weld's charge had drifted from 5/2 out to 7/2.

The winner had been runner-up on her sole start last season when chasing home Kingdom at the Curragh.

“She did what I expected her to do,” said Weld afterwards.

“She's tough and genuine and battled well. She travels well and handles that ground. She handled it in the Curragh as a two-year-old and I thought she would win.”