No messing around as Horseplay sheds maiden tag in style

Horseplay had some big boots to fill in division two of the 1m½f maiden for fillies but the eyecatching daughter of Cape Cross did not disappoint as she put 13 lengths between herself and runner up Plead to spark a winter of Classic dreams for connections.

Architecture successfully used the same race to shed her maiden tag last year before finishing runner up in the Oaks and Irish Oaks this season and, with a pedigree ladened with stamina, Horseplay could be heading in the same direction.

"I don't know how good she is because she's taking on unraced fillies but one thing I do know is that was a very good performance," said winning rider Oisin Murphy, splattered with mud but the sparkle in his eye undimmed.