Even So and Colin Keane (pink) just get the better of Laburnum © Photo Healy Racing
Even So battled gamely to get the better of Laburnum in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Naas Oaks Trial.
Successful in a maiden at Gowran last season, the Ger Lyons trained bay finished fifth in the 1000 Guineas at the Curragh on her most recent start.
Sent off the 13/8 favourite this afternoon, she was sent straight to the front by Colin Keane. Ridden and pressed by Laburnum over a furlong out, the two had a ding-dong battle in the closing stages, with a neck separating them at the line.
The runner-up was returned a 3/1 chance for Wayne Lordan and Aidan O'Brien, while Silence Please (5/2) was a further two and a half lengths back in third under Shane Foley.
Shane Lyons said afterwards: "She's as game as a pebble. She came out of the Guineas in great form. She doesn't show an awful lot but is one of those fillies that brings it to the racecourse and Colin said she was even a little bit fresh in his hands.
"The plan was always to go for the (Irish) Oaks as we know that (trip) is exactly what she wants. Fingers crossed she thrives after this and with a little bit of cut in the ground that is where she goes.
"She wants a mile and a half so if there was no pace we weren't going to sit in behind crawling. He got the fractions right and gave her a brilliant ride. The filly helped him as well - they are a good match."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
