Sunday 24 May 2015 18:19, UK
The rest of the news from the Curragh on Sunday, where Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore had a treble together.
Aidan O'Brien had to settle for second in the day's feature contest with Found, but at least Air Force Blue managed to get the day off to a flyer by make a successful debut in the Big Bad Bob European Breeders Fund Maiden.
The typically well-bred son of War Front was second-best in the market at 4/1, with the Jim Bolger-trained Tribal Beat a short-priced 5/4 favourite with the benefit of prior experience.
However, the latter proved bitterly disappointing as Air Force Blue quickened clear from the final-furlong marker in the hands of Ryan Moore and although he needed the line at the finish, he passed it a neck to the good.
Fellow newcomer Rockaway Valley ran an excellent race to fill the runner-up spot, as did Tonkinese in third.
O'Brien said: "I thought he'd be a bit green like the filly yesterday (Ballydoyle). Ryan said he winged the gates and was there in front. He just got tired in the last 50 yards, which is understandable."
Bookmakers RaceBets introduced Air Force Blue into the betting for the Coventry Stakes at 16/1.
Asked about the trip to Royal Ascot, the trainer said: "He probably didn't learn a lot there and has only had one run. We'll have to see how he comes along."
Moore swiftly doubled up aboard the Martin Hassett-trained Master Speaker in the K Club Hotel, Spa & Ryder Cup Venue Handicap.
The former Ballydoyle inmate had managed just one previous victory from 19 starts, but has been placed on nine occasions, filling the runner-up spot three times this season already.
Sent off at 11/2, the five-year-old kept out of trouble on the outside of the field and picked up well to get the better of In Salutem by half a length.
"It's the Moore factor! Sean Corby has been riding him all along and it's nothing against him, but we said we'd try something different," said Hassett.
"His first few runs this year were phenomenal but we were disappointed with him the last day. In fairness, the handicapper has given us a chance and hopefully he won't be too hard after that.
"We are thinking of the Rockingham, although that's over five (furlongs). We'll see."
O'Brien made it a double, and Moore a treble, as Bantry Bay took the Dublin Coach To The Curragh Races European Breeders Fund Maiden.
O'Brien said of the 4/5 favourite, who was building on his odds-on debut second: "He was very green the first day and was still green there.
"He'll stay further and is a massive big horse. He could be a lovely four-year-old."
Kevin Prendergast and Chris Hayes combined to take the N. Conlan & Sons BMW Handicap with 14/1 shot Majenta, while Tony Martin's Pyromaniac (13/2) edged out Awesome star in the Irish Tatler Celebrating 125 Years Handicap under Fran Berry.
Martin said: "He's a dual-purpose horse and he'll tip away.
"He got two miles well, and hopefully he'll step up in trip over hurdles. I thought that was a good performance."
