O'Brien celebrates another victory

Top trainer Aidan O'Brien celebrated another victory with the impressive juvenile filly Merrily (4/6f), owned by Coolmore, who comfortably won Naas' opening Dooley Insurance Group Irish EBF Fillies Maiden under jockey Ryan Moore.

Following recent successes with Fairy Godmother and Bedtime Story at Royal Ascot, Merrily faced a less challenging task. The No Nay Never filly raced prominently and comfortably fended off runner-up Say Yes To Dreams.

Ballydoyle's representative Chris Armstrong commented, "She's a talented filly. It was Ryan's first time riding her, and he was really impressed. She had a good debut at Listowel but was slow to start, and Wayne (Lordan) felt she was unlucky with the timing of being squeezed."

"Today's five furlongs wasn't her ideal distance, but the race suited, and we decided to give it a shot, which paid off. She has probably earned herself a place in the Silver Flash at Leopardstown, and Ryan believes stepping up in distance will suit her. He rates her highly, and she's one to watch for the future," Armstrong added.