Papilio takes Auction maiden in fine style

Papilio justified good support when making a winning debut in the opening Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden at the Curragh.

The Fozzy Stack-trained daughter of Starspangledbanner was available at 20/1 overnight and further supported on track from 12/1 into 9/1.

Wayne Lordan ’s mount got to the front a furlong out in this six-furlong event and kept on well to beat Apache Outlaw by a-length-and-three-quarters.

The 10/11 favourite Panic Alarm didn’t enjoy the clearest of passages over a furlong out before keeping on into third spot a further two-and-a-quarter lengths adrift.

There was drama beforehand with Ard Mhacha (50/1) bolting on the way to the start and unseating Ben Coen, while Madakasham Jam (25/1) got upset in the stalls. Both were withdrawn leaving 18 runners.

Stack said, "She's a nice filly and she wasn't getting any fillies allowance there. She's worked well consistently, she's probably a filly in time that will want seven or a mile to be fair to her. She's out of a High Chaparral mare so hopefully she'll stretch out a bit.

“She has a great mind and does everything very straight-forward. We could probably look at the Silver Flash or the Balanchine Stakes back here.

“Wayne liked her, he said she hit a bit of a flat spot at the two pole and that he got there too soon. He said he got to the line without hitting top gear.”

(GC & AM)