Nice start for Bellewstown favourite backers

Joseph O'Brien landed the opening Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden for the third year in a row as All Things Nice justified even-money favouritism.

Runner-up on debut at Limerick, the daughter of Sioux Nation went to the front from stalls but was joined three furlongs out when Colin Keane made a sweeping move from the back of the field on market rival Semantics

The two fillies had a good tussle up the straight with the favourite just doing enough to prevail by a head. Starry Heavens was a further three and a quarter lengths back in third.

Winning rider Mikey Sheehy said: "She's a tough, little bit of stuff.

"I made the running on her and nothing was helping me at all during the race. I was always asking her to give me that bit more but, when Colin (Keane on Semantics) came around me at the bottom of the straight, in fairness she put her ears back and she was really good and tough.

"I don't think this track would suit her, but I'm sure she is up to plenty more improvement.

"Her half-brother is Swan Bay, so you'd like to say there's plenty more improvement to come. She will get better with each run up in trip."

Quotes from Michael graham