Star shows improvement for Lordan

Ava Star stayed on well to get up in the closing stages of the opening juvenile maiden at Down Royal tonight.

9/4 favourite Harlem Shake took them along in the seven furlong contest and looked to have done enough as he kept on gamely going to the final furlong.

Wayne Lordan got a good tune from Ava Star, however, as she powered home to lead in the final 50 yards for a half-length victory.

The David Wachman-trained winner was showing significant improvement from her debut run at Roscommon earlier this month when she had beaten two home.

“She was drawn wide the first day at Roscommon and they went very quick there – she found it hard to find her feet,” explained Lordan.

“I was able to follow the favourite today and she came home well. She loves the fast ground and is going the right way.”

The winner was sent off a 12/1 shot having been 9/1 this morning.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)