Debut Juvenile Winner Kicks Off Smart Double For No Nay Never

American Bar (2f No Nay Never – Inhale, by Bated Breath) will step up to Stakes company after justifying strong market support on debut on Sunday.

The Paddy Twomey-trained newcomer was sent off favourite for the fillies’ maiden at Listowel and raced towards the back of the field in the early stages of the six furlong contest. Pushed along from two furlongs out, she ran on well on the stands’ side to lead inside the final 110 yards and kept on to win by half a length under Billy Lee.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “When you miss the break here it's usually game over but American Bar was able to overcome it. She's in the Airlie Stud Stakes on Derby weekend and I was hoping she'd do something like this, with a view to going there.”

American Bar was bought by owners Bond Thoroughbred Limited with Jason Kelly as a yearling for €300,000. She was sold by Camas Park Stud, who bred the bay with Lynch Bages and Summerhill.

The Liffey (3c No Nay Never – Rain Goddess, by Galileo) completed a smart double on the card for his sire when making a successful step up to a mile in the Pat Smullen Race.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge won his sole juvenile start and appeared unsuited by the heavy ground in a Group 3 on return in April. Racing on good ground on Sunday, he was sent off favourite under Wayne Lordan and raced prominently throughout. Ridden to assert approaching the final furlong, he went on to win by a comfortable two lengths from €450,000 purchase Without Words (Mendelssohn).

A return to Stakes company is now on the cards for The Liffey, according to Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong. The Coolmore homebred is out of Group 3 winner and Group 1 performer Rain Goddess (Galileo).