Watsdachances & a pleased Johnny Murtagh are clear at Navan© Photo Healy Racing
Despite being easy in the market, Watsdachances (5/4 this morning out to 15/8) built on a promising debut from Cork 22 days ago, convincingly landing the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden at Navan.
The victorious daughter of Diamond Green made a lot of the running in this sprint and Johnny Murtagh sent her clear from over a furlong out to beat Lottie Dod (didn't go unbacked) by six lengths.
Shane Lyons, representing his brother Ger, who trains the juvenile for his wife Lynne, said: "She's improved no end from her run at Cork and she's a tough filly.
"Johnny was very impressed. He thought beforehand that she could be Listed placed but now he thinks that she could win a Listed race.
"She could go for something like the Marble Hill now and she had to do it the hard way from the front there. She galloped all the way to the line though."
Watsdachances was bred by Meath All-Ireland winning footballers Padraic and Mick Lyons, both in attendance and their presence prompted Murtagh to remark: "I used to shout on these lads and now here they are shouting for me." (AM & EM)
