Willow stretches clear for Seamie Heffernan© Photo Healy Racing
Willow opened her account at the third attempt when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden in good style at Leopardstown.
This filly has an attractive pedigree being by American Pharoah out of Irish Oaks heroine Peeping Fawn which makes her a half-sister to a number of winners including September.
The 3/1 chance was ridden to head the uneasy 7/4 favourite A Taad Moody at the furlong pole and soon asserted under Seamie Heffernan.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly stayed on really well to beat Umneyaat who also kept on in good fashion, by two and a quarter lengths.
There was a further three lengths gap back to Flirting Bridge in third, while A Taad Moody could find no extra inside the final furlong and dropped back to finish sixth.
Heffernan said, “She’s genuine and is probably getting stronger into her big frame.
“She’s a filly I like a lot and she has a very fluent action. She’s a good mover.”
