Nice performance from Naughty in the feature

Naughty Or Nice made it two from two, as she battled gamely to land the feature at Navan this afternoon, the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Yeats Stakes.

A 20/1 winner on debut at Gowran last month, the John Oxx trained filly (the only filly in the race) opened on-course at 9/2, touching 7/2, before going off a 4/1 chance.

Settled in mid-division by Declan McDonogh, the Newtown Anner Stud owned victor was fifth with half a mile left to go.

She was switched from the inner at the three furlong pole, and barged into Finn McCool in the process.

The daughter of Fastnet Rock then soon came with her challenge and led with just under two furlongs to go, keeping on well inside the final furlong to hold off the challenge of Grandee by a head.

The runner-up, who stayed on strongly inside the final furlong, was returned at 6/1 under Colm O'Donoghue for Jessica Harrington, while Finn McCool was another two and a half lengths back in third. Belgravia who was sent off the 11/10 favourite, was headed and looked held when he was hampered by the winner inside the final furlong.

The Aidan O'Brien trained colt ran on again in the closing stages, but had to settle for fourth.

John Oxx said in the aftermath: "I thought the second was coming to gobble us up there.

"He (Declan) was drawn on the inside and we were holding her up a bit. He was in a bit of a pocket and when the chance came he had to take it and go a little bit sooner than he wanted to.

"For a green filly she was in front plenty soon enough and that was maybe contributing to her stopping a little at the end but it's great to win with her.

"She stays well, she got the trip well and she has a bit of a turn of foot too. She's not one paced by any means.

"I had thought after Gowran we might run her in the Naas Oaks Trial over a mile-and-a-quarter but she would probably appreciate a mile-and-a-half.

"She has an entry in the Ribblesdale Stakes but that might be a fair jump up. We'll see as she's still quite green and might keep improving.

"This is supposed to be a lead up race to the Queen's Vase and that would be an option but it is an extra furlong this year. Those are the two alternatives and it might be one or the other."

Declan McDonogh added: "It was a real messy race, there was no pace. She was green. I was in a little bit of a pocket and I had the horse under me to just get out of there.

"I was in front plenty soon enough on her and she was idling like hell when she got to the front.

"She is a nice filly. It was only her second start and a lot of the horses in the race had more runs and experience. She lacked that experience coming down the hill, she just rolled around a little bit on me.

"I would think there is more improvement to come. She is bone idle at home, you wouldn't know how she is going, but it's probably a good thing. Most of the good ones save a little bit in the mornings.

"I don't know where she will go now. She has an entry in the Ribblesdale and sometimes that race can cut up so we'll see."

Powers have cut Naughty Or Nice to 16/1, from 25's, for the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot.

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards enquired into possible interference early in the home straight involving Finn McCool, ridden by D. O'Brien, placed third and Naughty Or Nice, ridden by D.P. McDonogh, placed first, where it appeared Naughty Or Nice manoeuvered outwards and connected with Finn McCool. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings. They did, however, find that D.P. McDonogh was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly. Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended him for two racedays.

Furthermore the Stewards enquired into a second incident of possible interference in the closing stages involving Naughty Or Nice and Belgravia(GB), ridden by J.A. Heffernan placed fourth, where it appeared that Belgravia(GB) ran short of racing room close to the rail and was checked. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed a recording of the incident and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings but found that D.P. McDonogh was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly. Having considered only his previous record at Dundalk in November 2016, the Stewards suspended D.P.McDonogh for two racedays.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson