Marvada (right) holds off the challenge of Up (left) under the Cooley Mountains © Photo Healy Racing
Just four went to post for the second race at Dundalk, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Race, with the Aidan O’Brien trained, Joseph O’Brien ridden Up being sent off the well supported 1/2 favourite.
However things didn't go according to plan for favourite backers as the Ken Condon trained, Shane Foley ridden Marvada kept on best to score by three parts of a length at the line with the favourite having to settle for second.
Outsider of the four at 8/1 Royal Blue Star made the running under Fran Berry but she could offer no more a furlong from home and was headed by the winner.
Up who was settled in last of the four came with her challenge on the outer a furlong out but couldn't peg back the winner in the closing stages and had to settle for second with Duchess Of Foxland a further three and three parts of a length back in third at 7/2.
The winning daughter of Elusive City won three times in Ireland last season before heading to Meydan at the start of the year where she ran twice finishing sixth and a disappointing tenth on her last start over there.
Winning trainer Condon said afterwards: "I genuinely thought that the Ballydoyle horse, Up would be too strong. With the weight thirteen pound in the difference I thought we were playing for second.
"They went slow enough early on. Shane said they went slow and that she loved the surface. In Meydan they tend to overwater the Turf, she wants fast ground and likes this surface.
"We will go for the Athasi Stakes (Curragh May 7th) next and then maybe the Ballyogan at Leopardstown.
"We will keep her to Stakes races now and I would like to get more blacktype into her. It would be great to win a Listed race with her and if we have to travel to do that we will." (DM & GC)
