Little Treasure is driven out by Seamie Heffernan© Photo Healy Racing
Little Treasure ran out a comfortable winner of the naasracecourse.com Maiden scoring under Seamie Heffernan for Willie Browne and owner Lady Napier.
Having finished a good fourth to Laganore on her debut over the course and distance last month the daughter of Invincible Spirit was sent off a 5/1 chance (touched 4's on-course).
Settled in mid-division she came through to lead in the centre of the track under two furlongs out.
She went a few lengths clear from the furlong pole and despite a high head carriage she kept on well to score by a length and a half.
The well-backed Compass Hill (12/1 to 5/1 on-course) kept on well to take second under Fran Berry for John Murphy while Mulkeyya was a further three lengths back in third under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld. Curlylocks was sent off the 9/2 favourite and she finished a disappointing seventh under Wayne Lordan for David Wachman.
Willie Browne said afterwards: "I've loved her from the start. She's a breeze-up that got a muscle injury, and it has taken quite a while to get her sound. Seamie thinks she is better than that.
"She cost a lot (95,000 guineas) but that doesn't make them any better. Maybe we will sell her and if not she will try to get some black type. I think she will get seven furlongs. She has a high head carriage but I think she is very genuine."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards enquired into an incident approximately 2 furlongs from the finish involving Compass Hill (USA), ridden by F.M. Berry, I Will Excel ridden by S.B. Kelly and Oliveraie (GB), ridden by C.R. King, where it appeared I Will Excel suffered interference. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, and taking into account the strong headwind, the Stewards were of the opinion the interference was accidental, and they took no further action.
Mr N.B. Wachman, Chairman of the Acting Stewards, absented himself from this enquiry, and Mrs J.O. Onions acted as Chairman.
T.J. Marshall, rider of Yulong Baozuo trained by J.P. Murtagh, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount suffered accidental interference in running.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
