BRITISH raider Sky Majesty asserted close home under Tom Marquand to win the featured Listed Yeomanstown Stud Irish EBF Stakes (Fillies & Mares) at Naas on Wednesday.

Trained by William Haggas, the well-backed 11/10 favourite (from 2/1) led two-furlongs out for owners Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy. Keeping on strongly up the hill, the visitor beat Carla Ridge by three quarters of a length.

Marquand, who was making his first visit to Naas, said: “She’s a lovely filly. It was probably naive of me not to come before. We’ve sent a couple of alright ones over and the calendar has just meant that I’ve decided to stay at home, stupidly.

“This filly was one that I wanted to chase over and she duly obliged. I thought she was strong through her last 100 and just enjoyed that extra bit of cut in the ground from what she’s been seeing this year.

“We didn’t go overly hard early, I was expecting there to be a little more tempo with the fact that the track bias has been so strong. It’s nice to have her head back in front and hopefully it gets us back on the right trajectory. She’s a lovely filly and really looks like she’s come back to herself now.”

Easy win

A maiden over course and distance last time, the Donnacha O’Brien-trained Havana Anna stepped up in class to easily win the Listed Arqana Irish EBF Marwell Stakes for fillies.

Tracking the leaders early on, the 6/4 favourite came through to lead under Gavin Ryan over a furlong out.

Despite still showing signs of greenness, the filly quickened right away to score by three and a half lengths for owners Gaynor Bloodstock LLC.

“She’s a smart filly, she’s taken the step up in grade very well,” said O’Brien. “She’s exciting and she could be one for the best of those five and six furlong fillies’ races.

“They went a good gallop, she has loads of pace, and came over stands’ side which was fine. She’s straightforward, I know she leans a bit left under pressure. It’s something she’s always done in her races but she doesn’t do it at home.

“I have her in the Lowther. We’ll see how she comes out of it and make a plan then. You’d be hoping that she could make into a Cheveley Park filly. We’ll work back from there, it’s probably an option.”

IN the absence of main market rival Expanding, Comanche Brave went on to complete a double for Donnacha O’Brien and Gavin Ryan in the VEI Global Race.

Sent off 4/7 favourite, the son of Wootton Bassett tracked the pace in third before being produced to lead 150 yards out. Keeping on well close home, the colt scored by three quarters of a length.

“That will give him a bit of confidence there. Gavin gave him lovely ride, he kept waiting on him,” said O’Brien.

“It’s nice to get a win into him. He has plenty of gears and I was saying to him there would we even try and go back to six with him. Initially, I thought we’d go for a seven-furlong race in Cork in about three weeks’ time, the Platinum Stakes.

Back to six

“That’s what I had in my mind. We’ll see how he comes out of it and make a plan. I think he just doesn’t want extremes of ground, he’s not a big horse. Ryan (Moore) thought it was a little bit quick for him in Ascot.

“I’d like to have a go back at six and see how he gets on. Gavin said he had a good look in front there. The way he travels you wouldn’t be afraid to go back.”

Red hot

The Fozzy Stack-trained newcomer Red Earth finished strongly under Seamie Heffernan to make a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Sent off at 14/1, the Connolly Racing Syndicate-owned colt came through to lead over 150 yards from home. Strongly pressed by Krasimir close home, the eventual winner kept on well to score by a neck.

“He’s been going nicely at home,” said Stack. “He’s in the Goffs Million and we’ll probably go somewhere in between now and then. The draw was probably an advantage but the second had a good run previously.”

Short-head win

Rosato (14/1) stayed on well close home under Niall McCullagh to land the NFP Handicap for trainer Charles Weld. Leading over a furlong out, the Mrs John Weld-owned filly was joined by Carrigans Grove inside the final furlong, before rallying to win by a short-head.

“She’s a very hardy girl and I’d say being back on that easier ground helped her,” said Weld. “We thought she was well handicapped and she ran a cracker first time out (finished eighth at the Curragh) when we knew she needed the run. As she can she sulked a bit the last time. Niall knows her well and was very good on her today, the two of them were good and strong in the finish. Hopefully we’ll get another one or two out of her.”

PAUL Sweeney is aiming at Galway next week with O’Neill & Co Apprentice Handicap winner Roderick.

The 8/1 chance, also owned by Sweeney, led over a furlong out under Patrick McGettigan, staying on strongly to score by a length and a quarter. It was Roderick’s first win in just over two years and his first since joining the Donegal trainer.

“I have the Donegal colours on; we’re supporting them for Sunday. I’ve done my part winning today!” said Sweeney.

“He’s been knocking on the door, he’s a real character. It’s good to get him over the line. Hopefully now it’s onwards to Galway. Hopefully he’ll get in at the backend of the week.

“He likes soft ground. I have four altogether for Galway, most of them are out of claimers. We have God Knows on Tuesday and Dick Donohoe has a couple of mine as well, hopefully they get into the mix as well.”

Winning debut

Engines On made a winning stable debut for John Andrew Kinsella in the concluding Bert House Stud Handicap.

Settled mid-division by Chris Hayes, the 11/1 chance came through to dispute with Dark Viper over a furlong out. Nothing separated the pair deep inside the final furlong but the Peter Stone-owned Engines On just showed the greater resolve in getting up close home to win by a head.

“He’s a nice horse. Obviously, he was with Prunella Dobbs and when she retired I was lucky to get him,” said Kinsella. “He won well last year in the Curragh for her. We thought he might take a blow today and Chris said he did but he was just tough and genuine.

“Hopefully he can improve a little bit for it. We’ll have to see what Mr O’Gorman (handicapper) is going to do. I have him entered in Galway and we’ll see if he goes there. He needs a dig in the ground.”