Ms Willpower and Paul Flynn © Photo Healy Racing
Although not normally associated with winning two-year-old debutants, trainer Paul Flynn showed he could ready one at the first time of asking when Ms Willpower easily scored on her racecourse debut in the opening Irish EBF Auction Series Fillies Maiden at Dundalk.
Sent off 12/1 despite having come in for strong overnight support, the Inns Of Court filly was held up off the pace by Dylan Browne McMonagle in the initial stages of the race.
Travelling strongly in mid division at halfway, the eventual winner crept closer on the inside rail early in the straight, moving third at the cut away.
Pushed along to lead over a furlong out, Ms Willpower quickened up impressively to go right away for a comfortable three-and-three-quarter length win.
Well backed 2/7f market leader Dazzling Angel didn't enjoy the clearest of passages early in the straight before staying on late to take minor honours.
Paul Flynn said: "It is kind of our first venture into buying two-year-olds. We only have two and we sent the other filly home last week, an Advertise filly, a grand filly.
"This one was backward, but recommended by Tally Ho (Stud) - they are some operators. They said this was the one for me last year. We gave two grand more than we wanted! We are very happy now.
"She's so laid-back and has a lovely attitude. We only started galloping her two weeks ago, so I think she will come on a lot. When we galloped her, she worked well. I thought I didn't have her fit enough.
"I find all those Tally Ho horses know their job, they are so well done from day one.
"Hopefully we can sell this one and move on to another one. That's the plan."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
