Sea Of Grace shows her battling qualities

Sea Of Grace fought back well to take the Group Three Flame Of Tara Stakes after a ding-dong battle with Eziyra

John Oxx 's Born To Sea filly was held up in rear of the seven-runner field by Declan McDonogh before making good headway on the outer inside the final three furlongs.

She was swinging away as she swept into the lead under two furlongs out and was soon driven to take the race by the scruff of the neck.

Eziyra, on her inner, refused to go away though and kept finding for Pat Smullen.

The two fillies had the spoils between them in the final furlong and it was Eziyra who edged ahead with less than 200 yards to travel.

Sea Of Grace got into full stride in the closing stages and rallied to get up by a neck at 7/2.

Eziyra was the even-money favourite for Dermot Weld.

John Oxx said: "It was fast enough for her as she would like a bit of an ease. They went a good gallop and she has a good turn of foot. Declan gave her a squeeze and off she went. Then I thought she would get beaten but she is very courageous and has plenty of heart.

"She has gone the right way and was better today than when she beat Eziyra (in Tipperary). They are two good fillies.

"If there is an ease in the ground, we may let her take her chance in the Moyglare. It's only two weeks away but we'll see how she is.

"It was the plan to drop her in and she is becoming more settled. Declan said she is still quite green, so hopefully she will continue to improve.

"He dam wasn't that great but did win over a mile and a half."

This was Sea Of Grace's third appearance having been third in a Curragh maiden over seven furlongs on debut before beating Eziyra into second in a Tipperary maiden.

Paddy Power gave Sea Of Grace a first show of 25/1 for the Oaks. BoyleSports have Sea Of Grace and Eziyra both at 25/1 for the Oaks.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee