Bay battles well to take opener Petticoat Bay rallied gamely to land the opening fillies maiden at Punchestown this afternoon. The Ballydoyle filly won the early battle for the lead in the mile contest but was passed on the inner by newcomer San Juan De Lope passing the two pole. She stuck to her task well, for Jack Cleary, and stuck her head back in front close home for a neck success, at odds of 10/3. The Aidan O’Brien-trained winner had finished a promising third on her debut the Curragh earlier in the month. Cleary said afterwards:- "She did it well in the end, she was tough. Still quite green out in front but she got it done nicely. “The previous run was a big help to her and the step up in trip as well obviously suited her too." (Quotes by John O’Riordan)
