'I have no doubt she's a Group 1 filly' - Hayes lobbying pays off with Mehnah

Chris Hayes lobbied Kevin Prendergast hard to let potential star Mehnah take her chance in the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cairn Rouge Stakes and the plan worked.

The lightly raced daughter of Frankel overcame a bad draw to register a three-parts-of-a-length success, which was more decisive than the margin of victory over Emaniya and Thinking Of You would suggest.

The filly came widest of all, almost on the road in the words of her rider, but left the impression that she is of very high class.

Hayes said: "She had an awkward niggly injury just before the Irish 1,000 Guineas and it has been baby steps since. She was very undercooked but fit enough and I have no doubt that she is a Group 1 filly."

Chris Hayes: convinced Mehnah is Group 1 fillyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He added: "I would imagine she will go up in trip, maybe to nine furlongs but she would be a good ride in a strongly run Matron Stakes or the Sun Chariot.

"She had to cover a lot of ground today, from over two out I came widest of all to get one long sustained run from her. She has even taken a blow. She is very good.

"I put my neck on the line and kept pushing for this race, I thought it was a good option. I'm thankful it paid off or it could have been a long drive home."

Luxembourg stars for Ballydoyle

Aidan O'Brien is not averse to sending a good juvenile to Killarney.

Derby winner Wings Of Eagles won his maiden at the course at two and Luxembourg made an impressive debut in the hotly contested mile conditions race.

Ridden by Mick Hussey, the son of Camelot was in against three previous winners and giving weight to two of them, but he simply brushed them aside.

Luxembourg: impressed on his debutCredit: Patrick McCann

It did take some time for the penny to drop but the manner in which he quickened past Bellewstown winner Tuwaiq before beating him by two and a quarter lengths was impressive.

The winner holds an entry in the National Stakes and looks sure to be racing in Group company after this.

Hussey said: "He was very green early and he didn't really pick up until he went past Colin's horse [Tuwaiq]. He is a lovely colt and very exciting."

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