Askerana

Askerana was game in winning the 10-furlong fillies’ maiden on her racecourse debut.

Weak in the market beforehand, Dermot Weld’s filly was held up towards the rear of the seven-runner field by Chris Hayes. She travelled well into the home straight and, as Lighthouse Lady and Eria kicked on from the front, she moved up nicely on the far side. She joined the two leaders about 150 yards out, and she stayed on strongly on the far side to go and win by a half a length.

This was a really likeable performance from a well-bred Aga Khan filly. By Pivotal, her dam is a three-parts sister to multiple Group 1 winner Azamour, and a half-sister to Futurity Stakes winner Arazan. She was weak in the market before this, her racecourse debut, and she raced towards the inside of the track, probably not on the best of the ground on the evening, so she did well to win as she did. She showed a really likeable attitude too. Her potential for progression is obvious, she stayed the 10-furlong trip well and she handled the soft ground well, and she will be of interest wherever she goes next.

Roscommon, 2^nd September 2019