Porta Fortuna just comes out best in exciting finish

Donnacha O’Brien struck with his first juvenile runner of the season as Porta Fortuna just got up on the line in a tremendous finish to the Irish National Stud And Gardens Irish EBF Fillies Maiden at the Curragh.

The daughter of Caravaggio made headway on the stands’ side rail under Gavin Ryan inside the final furlong and just got up on the line to score by a neck.

The 9/2 chance just got the better of Ellie Moore (22/1-5/1) and Neo Smart who dead-heated for second.

O’Brien said, “She was our first two-year-old runner so it was good to see her do that. I thought she was a nice filly but it’s hard to judge when you haven’t run one.

“Gavin said he followed the one that there was a bit of money for and he got the gap at the right time and she quickened up well.

“We might have a look at a Group race for fillies at Naas next month. She has plenty of scope so is not just a five-furlong filly.”