Lordan Smiling in Down Royal with a winner Smiling made the breakthrough at the fifth time of asking in the Madri Excepcional Maiden over the extended seven-furlongs in Down Royal. Aidan O'Brien's charge tracked throughout and was ridden to the front by Wayne Lordan on the approach to the final furlong. She kept on well to score by four lengths at 9/2 for Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs John Magnier. Diego El Queso, the 8/15 favourite, had no answers in second, but was two and a-half lengths in front of 33/1 shot Tokyo Treasure. Lordan said: "She had some nice runs previously. She is always a filly that has taken her time, mentally she is just not tuned in. Even today, she was after a good few runs and she was fine and raw again today. Didn't turn great and when she got there she had a good look, so mentally she is catching up. "I didn't see it (Chester Nimitz clipped her heel off the top bend), but I knew I ran off the bend. I didn't realise Ben (Coen) caught my heel, these things happen unfortunately. "She has weakened that day (fifth in Naas), Naas can be a little bit stiff in the last furlong. I thought around here would suit her back to seven (furlongs) because she has plenty of pace. The ground is not bad, so she handled that fine."
