Maiden winner Kaftan "a black type filly in the making"

Kaftan and Kiss For A Jewel are names we'll likely be hearing plenty more about after their first and second placings in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Naas.

Kiss For A Jewel (5/4 favourite) looked like she might get it done when leading over a furlong out.

Colin Keane meanwhile, had raced towards the rear on Kaftan, and he was ninth at the halfway stage on Ger Lyons' representative.

Pushed along and making headway two furlongs out, the 4/1 victor was switched right in third over a furlong out.

Ridden into second in the final 150 yards, Khalid Abdullah's Kaftan stayed on well to lead close home for a neck win over the market-leader.

Pace setter Bellakris ended up three and a half lengths back in third whilst Ballydoyle's Magic Fountain (5/1 into 100/30) had to make do with fifth.

“The fillies have been very slow coming to hand. They have not been showing anything but there is no prize-money at home. We have let them lead two-year-olds and been paddocking them," said Lyons.

“They are all ready to start just like she is and there is plenty of improvement in her. She looks a ten-furlong filly going forward.

“Her first run is Group 3 form and I know Dermot likes his filly (Kiss For A Jewel) so you would like to think she’s a black type filly in the making.

“I don’t think she’s mature enough for Ascot so we’ll stay at home and let her come along slowly.

“It’s nice to see that as there are a bunch of fillies ready to start that aren’t settling the place on fire at home.”    

(AM & EM)