Mary Tudor powers home in Navan© Photo Healy Racing
Mary Tudor put in a taking performance to land her first victory in the Listed Salsabil Stakes over a mile and a quarter at Navan.
Willie McCreery 's filly had run second and third to Magical in maiden and Group Two company as a juvenile before signing off with a fourth place in a Group Three at Naas in September.
The grey daughter of Dawn Approach raced in mid-division of the 10 runners in the first-time hood.
She travelled well passing the two marker but had a wall of horses in front of her so was switched out by Billy Lee in the Godolphin colours.
Once in the clear, she showed plenty of boot to get on terms with a furlong left.
She soon led and was ridden to go clear by two and a half lengths at 9/2. Hazel Bay kept on to come through for second at 16/1, half a length in front of Princess Yaiza at 20/1.
Willie McCreery said: “She’s a lovely mare and has shown that form last year. She settled and did it well. She should get a mile and a half in time and we might go straight to the (Irish) Guineas now.
“I wanted to get her out to see where we are going with her. The ground dried up enough for her and that was the only thing I’d be a bit worried about for her. She wouldn’t want it any worse than that.
“I loved the way she quickened there when she saw the rising ground. She really put the head down and it’s good that she is holding her form and improving a little bit.”
Paddy Power cut Mary Tudor from 50/1 to 33/1 for the 1,000 Guineas and introduced her at 14/1 for the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
