AIDAN O’Brien saddled six of the seven winners at Leopardstown last weekend, but it was one of his also-rans at the meeting, Captivating, who caught the eye for another day, writes Andy Stephens.

The regally-bred daughter of Dubawi, out of Yorkshire Oaks winner Tapestry, was a friendless 20/1 chance for the 10-runner fillies’ maiden over a mile and was instantly left playing catch-up after hesitating when the gates opened and being only eighth quickest to 20mph (2.77sec).

Her inexperience continued to show, but the penny dropped towards the finish and her final furlong of 12.62sec was assessed by RaceiQ as “very fast”.

None of the six who finished in front of her were quicker, and she was significantly faster than most of them. Having looked likely to be well beaten turning for home, she ended up being beaten about four lengths.

Captivating is open to significant improvement, especially when tackling middle distances next season.

Heavily backed

Drive On There, trained by Paddy Twomey, was a heavily backed 11-10 favourite for his debut in the seven-furlong maiden later on the card but events conspired against him, and he could finish only fifth.

The Justify colt began slowly, taking 15.6sec to complete the first furlong (10th best), and was obliged to sit off the pace.

To compound things, they dawdled until three furlongs out and he was 0.96sec off the lead (about six lengths) when the tempo finally picked up.

Drive On There did his best to claw back the deficit, being swiftest of all in each of the final two furlongs, but he was swimming against the tide. This experience will not be lost on him.