First juvenile success for Maxwell as Friendly springs surprise With uninspiring form to her name, Friendly Invoice undoubtedly sprang a surprise in the Book Online At dundalkstadium.com Nursery Handicap. Providing Conor Maxwell with his first juvenile success, the 28/1 chance raced towards rear under Leigh Roche, making progress on the inner from early in the straight. Ridden with over a furlong to go, the E3,000 Tattersalls September Yearling Sale purchase surged to the front inside the final 150 yards and quickly went on, coming home three-quarters of a length to the good. For the second race in-a-row, David Marnane and Luke McAteer had to settle for the runner-up spot, with 3/1 chance Glen And Tonic occupying this position. Claire O'Connell's Saxon Grace (33/1) was another length-and-a-quarter back in third, while the well-supported Elly Bay (9/4f from 5s early) could only manage a disappointing ninth. "It just took a little bit of time for the penny to drop with her and once or twice she did things wrong," Roche reflected. "The last day I took my time with her to get her settled and do things right. That's what we thought (bit of promise in being beaten three-and-a-half lengths). We actually fancied her for the last day, but the drawn out in 13 is very hard over six (furlongs) here. "I got a lovely run around, jumped and followed the favourite, but we went very steady and I thought that wasn't helping me. She has a bit of ability and I think that is what got her through it. "I think she will go on from that, I think she is still well handicapped." Currently in Cheltenham, where his Mr Finch will be offered for sale tomorrow evening, Maxwell trains the bay victor for his wife Karena. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
