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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Lady Allegra motors home in Navan

Fri 10th Jul 2015, 19:06

Lady Allegra approaches the line in NavanLady Allegra approaches the line in Navan
© Photo Healy Racing

Lady Allegra stepped up on her promising debut when picking up well to score in the median auction maiden for two-year-olds at Navan.

Patrick Prendergast 's filly finished well in Fairyhouse last Sunday for second place in a six furlong auction maiden. Dropping back to the flying five furlongs here proved to be no problem to her as her turn of foot won the day.

The 9/4 chance broke away from the stalls in fourth as Dr Doro sprang out to lead. No less than three of the seven runners - Panus Glass House and An Droichead - blew the start and raced in rear.

Dr Doro blitzed away in front but Lady Allegra travelled sweetly into second at the two pole. Chris Hayes soon asked for more from Lady Allegra and she headed Dr Doro with just over a furlong to go.

She was ridden out to win by two and a quarter lengths from Dr Doro (11/4). Glass House, the well-backed 6/4 favourite from 9/4, could make no impression on the leaders after the slow start but kept on for third on debut. She was beaten four and a quarter lengths by the winner after stumbling slightly outside the furlong marker.

Chris Hayes said: "She's a nice filly. She was a bit green the last day and got very unbalanced in the ridges at Fairyhouse. They also went slow and she was caught for inexperience.

"She's a genuine Stakes filly and I think Patrick might have a Listed or Group race in England in mind for her.

"She has so much natural speed that she could come back to five furlongs but she'd have no problem over five, six or seven furlongs."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
9/4
Tote €3.10 €1.40
2nd
2.25L
11/4
€1.60
3rd
2L
6/4Fav
4th
5.5L
25/1
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.