Chantez (third from the right) tracks the leaders on the turn for home© Photo Healy Racing
Chantez overcame greenness, as she provided Ger Lyons and Colin Keane with yet another success in the Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes.
A 220,000 pounds yearling purchase, the Wootton Bassett bay was beaten by just a head on debut, before comfortably making the breakthrough on her second start.
Expected to follow-up in Listed company this afternoon, she was returned the clear 6/5 favourite from early shows of 2/1.
Having tracked the leaders, the Newtown Anner Stud-owned victor took closer order on the outer from early in the straight and was pushed along to lead with over a furlong to go.
Soon ridden, she edged right inside the final furlong but it did little to halt her momentum, as she went on to account for Garden Of Eden (25/1) by three-quarters of a length.
Aidan O'Brien was responsible for the runner-up and he also saddled the third and fourth, Bubbling (9/4) and Easy Mover
Ryan Moore was aboard Bubbling and she didn't get the run of the race, finishing just a head behind the runner-up.
"She's a lovely filly. I'm surprised how green she ran because in her first two starts she didn't show any greenness," Lyons, who won this race along with Keane in 2021 and 2022, commented.
"Colin said she seen the photographers. She did everything wrong today and still won.
"If we didn't have Babouche and Red Letter you'd be very high on this one going into next spring.
"Getting one for each race is a struggle so having three to go to war with is something to really look forward to over the winter.
"We won't make a decision for a week or two. Coming into this it was 'put her away till next year' but it's all about ground as she's a top of the ground filly.
"There is not much of her. We'll talk to Maurice (Regan) and talk to PJ (Colville). We'll see how she comes out of it but at the minute I would say next year."
When asked what his pecking order would be among the three fillies he added: "Red Letter, potentially over a trip. Babouche is fantastic and push button but I'd have Red Letter all day."
STEWARDS REPORT
C.T. Keane, rider of Chantez, trained by G.M.Lyons, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran around in the closing stages. The Raceday Stewards reviewed the closing stages of this race and were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
