Cherry Bloom was the well backed winner of the opening Lagan Valley Steels Maiden at Down Royal today, scoring for owner/breeder Renzo Forni, trainer Willie McCreery and jockey Chris Hayes.

The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor was a 14/1 shot after the withdrawal of morning second-favourite Arges at 9.30am but was well eventually backed in to 7/2 at the off and in the race beat Caleto Sjun by a length and a quarter. Hot Sunset (20/1) finished well and was an eye-catcher in third.

Afterwards jockey Hayes later said "she's a lovely filly and I thought if she had built on her first run she have a great shout.

"They went very quick and I got into their slipstream and travelled nice, and from the road I used a bit of stamina into it. I didn't want to be sitting in and then asking her to get out over the road, I wanted her to have plenty of light going into it and it worked.

"Willie (McCreery) was confident she would stay further and I think she will. I don't know what he has in mind for her, but she is a grand filly and I think she will win more races."

Quotes from Michael Graham