Third time lucky for Eternal Spirit

In first time blinkers and upped markedly in trip, Eternal Spirit made the breakthrough in the Guinness Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.

Ninth and sixth in two starts as a juvenile and last seen in October, the Aidan O'Brien-trained bay proved easy-to-back this evening and was returned at 7/1 from early shows of 7/2.

Settled in a close second by Wayne Lordan, she improved to dispute the lead from halfway.

Ridden with over a furlong to go, she soon gained a narrow advantage, extending her lead in the closing stages and ultimately coming home a length-and-a-quarter to the good.

Joined by the winner from halfway, Generous Support (12/1) filled the runner-up spot under Ross Coakley, while Jannah Star (15/8f) was another three-quarters of a length away in third.

"Wayne gave her a brilliant ride, he sat upsides and kept it going nice and even from the word go," stable representative Chris Armstrong commented.

"She had two nice runs at two in good maidens, including behind Minnie Hauk. She's a filly that's just taken a while to come to hand but she was ready to start here.

"I suppose she'll probably come back here for the Oyster Stakes over the same track and distance.

"She's a filly that could have a bit of class and hopefully she gets the blacktype.

"She's a Galileo and you saw that once she put her head down and really battled it out."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident coming down the hill involving Colpe Cross (GB), ridden by J.A. Heffernan, placed fourth, Master Sydney ridden by J.M. Sheridan, unplaced, and Ledecky ridden by Nicola Burns, placed fifth, where it appeared the three horses came close together. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. J.M. Sheridan stated that he received a slight bump but his mount over-exaggerated. Nicola Burns stated that she received a slight bump but didn't have the horse to go forward. J.A. Heffernan stated that he shifted left but thought he was clear. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found J.A. Heffernan was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his clean record in this regard the Raceday Stewards suspended him for two racedays.

D.P. McDonogh, rider of Onaqui trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stumbled leaving the stalls.

J. Kearney, rider of Thru The Gap trained by Patrick Magee, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got upset in the stalls.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson