Mahaazen game in Tipp opener

Mahaazen battled gamely to get off the mark in the opening Athassel House Stud Maiden at Tipperary this afternoon. Canary Wharf cut out the running in the nine furlong contest and rallied well when headed by Dermot Weld's charge over a furlong from home.

Leigh Roche got a good tune from his partner in the closing stages, however, as she stuck her head out for a half-length success. Thomasgainsborough was the gamble of the race, backed from 8/1 in the morning into 2/1 favourite on track. He stayed on without threatening to finish fifth.

The 5/1 winner had been placed on her four previous starts so wasn't winning out of turn.

"She stays well and Leigh gave her a good ride," said Kris Weld, who was representing his father.

"She kept on well at the finish. This is the longest two-year-old maiden of the year and with the size of her you wouldn't expect her to stay. She's a game little filly.

"She's had a few good runs and was entitled to win that."

Gary Carson