Plane sailing for Merrily as Ballydoyle win with another filly

Champion trainer Aidan O'Brien scored with another impressive juvenile filly today, as his Coolmore-owned Merrily (4/6f) readily landed Naas' opening Dooley Insurance Group Irish EBF Fillies Maiden under jockey Ryan Moore.

Successful with exciting Fairy Godmother and Bedtime Story at Royal Ascot last week, Merrily today faced a lesser task but it was mostly plane sailing for the No Nay Never-filly who raced prominently and comfortably held runner-up Say Yes To Dreams

Ballydoyle's representative Chris Armstrong reported “she's a smart filly, it was Ryan's first time sitting on her and he really liked her.

“She had a lovely run down in Listowel the first time but was a bit slow to jump and Wayne (Lordan) felt that she was a bit unlucky as she got squeezed at the wrong time.

“This (five furlongs) isn't her ideal trip but the race presented itself and we thought we'd give it a go and it worked out. She's probably put herself in the mix for the Silver Flash (at Leopardstown) and Ryan feels a step up in trip will definitely help her. He really likes her and she's one to look forward to for the backend.”

Quotes from Gary Carson