Odds-on Witches gets the job done

Witches Brew justified odds-on favouritism in the last at the Curragh, the Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stable (Fillies) Maiden, scoring under Seamie Heffernan for Eddie Lynam.

The daughter of Duke Of Marmalade wasn’t beaten far on her two efforts as a juvenile and she went off the 4/7 favourite to score today on her debut at three.

Settled in third she came through to lead on the rail a furlong and a half from home and she was soon ridden, keeping on well inside the final furlong to score by a length and three parts at the line. Duchess Andorra had to settle for second yet again under Colm O’Donoghue for Joanna Morgan at 7/2, while Dusty Boots was a further four and a quarter lengths back in third.

Eddie Lynam said afterwards: "She was entitled to win. I was in two minds whether to work her after racing or run her but it's nice to get paid!

"I don’t know what she beat there but it was nice start. She is owned by a big breeding operation (Ballylinch Stud) and blacktype is the instruction so that’s where will head now and see how we’ll get on.

"I only have her back in two months, she is very sound and very straightforward. It’s probably bad training that she hasn’t won before now!”

The winner cost €20,000 as a yearling and she is a half-sister to the Ken Condon trained Ballyorban who has to wins to his name to date.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson