Kissed© Photo Healy Racing
The market left nobody in any doubt as to what was expected from Kissed in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Salsabil Stakes at Navan and she delivered stylishly under Joseph O'Brien in the mile and a quarter feature race at Proudstown Park.
A course winner of her maiden back in October, the successful daughter of Galileo, a close relative of Epsom Derby hero Pour Moi, was backed from 4/5 in earlier trading on this fillies race and eventually went off at 2/5.
She duly went out and made all, she was clear a furlong and a half out, shaken up briefly a furlong out out and kept on strongly to impressively account for Aaraas by eight and a half lengths.
Joseph O'Brien said: "She's very uncomplicated and she's a lovely big scopey mare. She's got a great attitude too.
"Both of her runs have been on softer ground and until she runs on faster ground we won't really know if she'll act on it.
"We thought she'd improved a lot. We didn't plan on making the running but she jumped quick.
"I'd like to think she'll improve again from this.
"Her brother, Pour Moi won the Derby so she should handle the track."
Ladbrokes make Kissed a 5/1 shot (from 8s) for the Oaks whilst Paddy Power made an identical market move.
Kissed's Ballydoyle stable companion Maybe tops the betting for the Epsom June 1st highlight at around 4/1 whilst another Aidan O'Brien runner, Wading is prominent in the ante-post lists too.
Meanwhile Stan James reported that Kissed had been well-supported for the Oaks yesterday at 12/1 and they've shortened her again today to 5/1 (from 8s) after her win. (AM & EM)
