Hayes and Weld on song ahead of Homeless bid for Coronation glory at Royal Ascot

Saturday: Limerick

With a major date to come on Friday with Homeless Songs in the Coronation Stakes, Chris Hayes and Dermot Weld warmed up nicely for their Royal Ascot raid with an impressive maiden winner in Kayhana.

Representing owner-breeder the Aga Khan, it's believed the 7-1 winner, who had been backed from 16-1, became the first progeny of Derby winner Harzand to win on their debut as a juvenile in Britain or Ireland after landing the 7f fillies' maiden decisively.

Hayes said the length victory over Joseph O'Brien-trained newcomer and 85-40 favourite All Things Nice, was no shock considering the promise his mount had been showing at home.

Kayhana (green and red silks): didn't go unbacked when winning at odds of 7-1 on debutCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"We liked her a lot but she hadn't done much, just a couple of half-speeds," said Hayes, who was making it two wins on his last two rides for Weld.

"She'd stick her head above water for you going up the Old Vic gallop and I was quietly confident she'd run a big race. She surprised me with how professional she was considering the amount of work she had done. She'll improve a lot."

Hayes added: "My only worry was that I'd be too forward on her because she jumps the gates well, so I took her back for a lead. It surprised me how well she quickened."

Cnodian continues fine run for McCreery team
Willie McCreery has Cigamia to look forward to in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot and continued his excellent run of form with a gutsy success from tough filly Cnodian, ridden by Nathan Crosse.

From his last 15 runners the Curragh trainer has saddled four winners and four seconds, with the latest scorer owned by Noeleen O'Toole and returning at odds of 15-2.

Cnodian: doubled her career tally at Limerick on Saturday under Nathan CrosseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"She's as tough as nails and Nathan gave her a lovely ride," said McCreery. "If you could get more horses like her you'd be laughing because she's all heart."

Cnodian's six-furlong success came in a race named the Limerick Racecourse Handicap, which curiously was the exact title used for five of the seven races on the card.

Top marks to King
There was little question that ride of the day honours at the Patrickswell venue went to 7lb claimer Daniel King, who gave the Denis Hogan-trained Church Mountain a gorgeous ride to make all from stall 18 in a mile handicap.

Church Mountain: set for return to Galway this summer for major festivalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

From the two-furlong marker it became clear there was no catching the front-running winner, who could be bound for a return to Galway this summer after recording two previous wins at the Ballybrit track.

Hogan said: "Dan is super value for his claim. I don't like him doing light weights as he's a big lad who rides over jumps too. He's just finished school for the summer and has joined me full time."

Results, replays and analysis

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