Executive Decision (8/1) won today's opening Irish EBF Auction Series (Fillies) Maiden at Navan, as the Jessica Harrington trained, Theresa Marnane-owned filly improved on a debut effort to win for jockey Shane Foley.

Seventh to smart prospect Easy on Cork debut in July, Executive Decision today made all and battled well to fend off runner-up Arinniti (5/6f) by a head.

Jockey Foley later said “we didn't have her very long before she ran in Cork and she was a little bit weak. She's strengthened up a lot since then. I rode her the other morning for the first time and she was a different filly.”

He added “it wasn't the plan to make the running but she bounced smart and I ended up getting left there but she toughed it out well. She's a nice filly.

“She was probably doing a little bit too much in front but I got a breather into her down the hill and then I kicked. When Billy (Lee, on runner-up Arinniti) came to me she stuck her head out again.”

Quotes from Gary Carson