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French looks smart on debut

Willie McCreeryWillie McCreery
© Photo Healy Racing

French Blue pulled away in good style to make an impressive debut in the fillies maiden at Dundalk.

The seven-furlong contest was won by Oaks heroine Qualify last season and may have produced another smart sort in the Willie McCreery-trained Godolphin filly.

Billy Lee produced the daughter of Iffraaj to challenge on the outer passing the two furlong pole and she hit the front over a furlong out.

The 5/1 shot powered clear inside the final furlong to beat 7/4 favourite Way To My Heart by four-and-a-quarter lengths.

"She's a little bit leery at home so we stuck a hood on. She's a grand filly but is just very green at home," said McCreery.

"With the way the ground has been I hadn't the chance to get her away from home and was a bit worried about that but Billy gave her a lovely kind ride.

"She's a little bit hot at home and the lads have done a good job with her. I'm delighted.

"Billy thought she'd stay a mile and she really quickened away from them there."

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.