Smexy going the right way for Lyons Favourite backers got off to a winning start in Leopardstown when Smexy just prevailed after a closing-stages battle with Josh's Joy in the juvenile fillies' maiden over an extended seven-furlongs. Smexy made headway between horses inside the final furlong to join issue with Josh's Joy 150 yards from home and soon held a narrow lead. Both horses were in full flow at the business end and Smexy (11/8f) got the verdict by a head from the 9/2 runner-up. Victorious Dream was backed from 25/1 to 16/1 and finished two lengths away in third. This was Smexy's third outing for Ger Lyons having finished sixth in Fairyhouse and third in a Group 3 over a similar trip at this track. Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “She deserved that after being Group placed last time. It was nice to tick the box and get the maiden out of the way. “It’s all about next year with her. We can’t go for the Ingabelle because she was placed in the Group race, but there is no panic with her as she has everything ticked for this year and she is a work in progress. “She’s a fine big filly. I think this maiden will be good as the second is a fabulous looking Wootton Bassett, and they liked her, and Jessies’ Dubawi (Harrington, Thenandnow, fifth) is a nice horse. I think the race will produced plenty of winners." “Mentally and everything she still has to fill into herself and we’ll look forward to next year.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
