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Zawara turns over Epsom Derby third

Zawara and Gavin Ryan (left) beat Amhran Na Bhfiann Zawara and Gavin Ryan (left) beat Amhran Na Bhfiann
© Photo Healy Racing

Despite the presence of the Epsom Derby third in the Nursery Of Champions Maiden, there was plenty of market confidence in Zawara (9/2 in the morning, returned 9/4) and the Dubawi filly was travelling best from early in the straight.

Gavin Ryan, recording a quick double after Bounce The Blues in the previous contest, waited until nearing the furlong marker before asking his mount to go on from the front-running Amhran Na Bhfiann (8/15 fav).

The favourite (found to be lame post-race) tried to rally once headed but Zawara held his renewed effort by three quarters of a length, with the pair well clear of the rest.

In-form jockey Ryan has now lost his 5lbs claim

The winner was unraced at at two and made a promising debut when second to stablemate Kassaba over a mile at this track last month.

Her dam Zarshana, by Sea The Stars, was a Group 3 winner over 12f in France.

Winning trainer Dermot Weld said: "I just thought we’d take a chance getting 10lb from the Derby horse. She had the 5lb fillies allowance and I felt Gavin’s claim might tip it our way.

“She’s a lovely filly and ran a nice race here on her debut. She’s a very progressive filly and loves a little ease in the ground.

“We’ll see if we can win a Stakes race with her next. She’s bred to be a good filly.

“She has taken a little time but I love to have some patience with these nice fillies and she fits into that bracket.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
9/4
Tote €2.70 €1.02
2nd
0.75L
8/15Fav
€1.02
3rd
7L
50/1
€10.60
4th
2L
25/1
About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.