We've had to be very patient for Katalyst to make her first start for the Coral Racing Club, but the day finally arrived on Thursday, as she made the trip to Chepstow for her debut race.

After being withdrawn at Newbury in June, due to her reluctance to get in the stalls, on what was supposed to be her debut appearance, Katalyst had to pass a stalls test in order to be eligible to race again. Thankfully, she passed that test with flying colours and was given an entry on Thursday at Chepstow to make her much anticipated first start.


Katalyst's Owners for the Day with Chris Grassick and Lewis Edmunds

The first positive note was that Katalyst went into the stalls without any issues this time round, however, that was about as positive as it got. As she set off under the guidance of jockey Lewis Edmunds, she broke away slower than the rest of the field and took up a position in last place early on, showing obvious signs of greenness. As the race progressed, she continued to show signs of naivety and didn't make up much ground on the rest of the pack despite Lewis' urgings.

As the front runners entered the final two furlongs, Katalyst remained many lengths back and at that point, Lewis simply kept her up to her work all the way to the finish line, ensuring that she came home safe and sound.

WATCH: Lewis Edmunds debriefs us following his ride on Katalyst

Katalyst's slow getaway and subsequent run could be explained by her stalls test, as she wouldn't have been hurried out of the stalls like she would have been in the race, and the following run would've only lasted around two furlongs before she was eased down. Given this was her only experience on a racecourse before arriving at Chepstow, it's entirely possible that she could have believed that it was to be a similar situation on Thursday. You could see that when she was roused along by Lewis Edmunds that she responded and didn't lose any further ground on the field.

WATCH: Chris Grassick tells us how he viewed Katalyst's debut

We caught up with Chris Grassick the morning after her run and he filled us in on how Katalyst is getting on following the race as well as the next steps he plans on taking with her:

"Katalyst was sound and moving very well this morning and she ate up all of her food following her run, which is unusually good form for a two-year-old filly after her first run. She hasn't lost too much weight and is carry plenty of condition so we can crack on with her now we've got this first run out of the way. 

We plan on pushing her a little bit harder at home now that we know that she can deal with the stalls properly and that she's got that first run under her belt which is so important. 

I'll keep you all posted on how she's getting on with it all, but all the signs are positive, despite the run not going to plan."