Smart performance from Naughty on debut

The John Oxx trained Naughty Or Nice put in a smart performance on debut, as she took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

Sent off a 20/1 chance, the daughter of Fastnet Rock was settled in mid-division by Declan McDonogh, taking closer order on the outer before the entrance to the straight.

She was pushed along with over two furlongs to race, and stayed on best once ridden over a furlong from home, going on to prevail by two and a half lengths. Bean Feasa finished second at 5/2 under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger, while Lovemenot who was backed from 11’s to 17/2 on-course, was another half a length back in third under Wayne Lordan for Willie McCreery.

The well-bred and well-backed 4/7 favourite Sansibar Jewel attempted to make all, but she faded from over a furlong out, and eventually finished fifth under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.

John Oxx said afterwards: "She is a nice filly, she is a good-looking filly. She is lazy at home and we knew we had to bring her to the track to wake her up.

"We thought she could either wake up or run mid-division. Anyway she did wake up and when he gave her a crack in particular she finished very well.

"She is a nice filly. The O’Regan's (of Newtown Anner Stud) have had a bit of luck with Fastnet Rock, with Fascinating Rock of course, and they have been good supporters of the stallion.

"She will improve from the run and hopefully we might give her a go in a Listed race. There is one at Naas at the end of June that sticks out in my mind.

"Anything that wins a maiden in Ireland ends up running in a Listed race. If you can win an early maiden everyone fancies their chances of getting into the first three in better company."