A NUMBER of well-related newcomers were the subject of support in the opening Avenuebloodstock.com Irish EBF Maiden, but it was Ballydoyle’s Brussels (11/4) who led them home under Ryan Moore.

It looked like front-running stablemate Kansas might take top honours passing the two-furlong pole, but Brussels quickened up nicely to lead inside the final furlong, going on to beat the longtime leader by three parts of a length, with another length and a quarter back to Ger Lyons’ newcomer Learntodiscover (13/8f) in third.

“He was very babyish when Ryan got on him and very babyish going down; he’s never been away,” Aidan O’Brien commented. “Ryan was very happy and said he will come on a lot from it. All these horses are running with Ascot in mind, but Ryan said he was so babyish that it might come too quick, so we’ll just see how much he comes on.

“Ryan thought he’d have no problem getting seven [furlongs]. He’s a very big, powerful horse. It probably wasn’t a bad race either. Kansas ran lovely – six looks far enough for him – and the third horse was well-fancied; Ger [Lyons] liked him a lot.”

The Coolmore and Westerberg-owned Wootton Bassett colt was introduced at 14/1 for the Coventry Stakes.

Proposal accepted

Expectations appear lower for Ballydoyle’s second winner of the day, Propose, who justified strong market support on his third start in the concluding Finlay Volvo Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden.

Once-raced as a juvenile, the Coolmore-owned Frankel colt returned in March to finish a promising second at Dundalk and was sent off 8/13 favourite to go one better returning to turf. Racing in second under Ryan Moore, he was ridden approaching the two-furlong pole and led a furlong later. Despite racing green, he kept on to score by three and a half lengths while Andy Oliver’s newcomer Our Friend Mouse made late headway to take second at 66/1.

Plans remain fluid for the colt and on whether he could potentially become a stakes horse, the trainer replied: “He could be. We’ll see what sort of mark he gets. I’d say he’ll stay further too.”

New recruit on target

Ado McGuinness appears to have secured a progressive recruit in Goal Exceeded, who defied a seven-month absence on stable debut in the Quinnbet Handicap over seven furlongs. The winner of a Naas maiden and placed in a premier handicap for John O’Donoghue, he was bought by McGuinness with BBA Ireland’s Adam Potts for 36,000gns in October.

Settled in midfield by Adam Caffrey on Saturday, he was switched out to challenge approaching the two-furlong marker and ridden to lead inside the final furlong. The 12/1 shot kept on to win by two lengths for owners Hazel McGuinness, Martin White, Declan Sheridan and Breen White.

“His work at home was very good,” the trainer revealed. “He was working with Apache Outlaw, he finishing well in front of him and he ran a cracker yesterday in the big sprint.

“I think he’ll turn into a nice premier handicap horse in time. We’re probably looking at the likes of Derby weekend and maybe Galway. Galway might be our main target with a horse like him as they go good and fast and he’ll like it.

“We gave him the whole winter off and it’s worked out well. Sometimes horses like time just need a little bit of time to get into the system. I don’t think we put a saddle on him for three and a half months, just let him in and out and enjoy life.”

Bridesmaid no more

Iceford is another expected to step up in class after gaining a deserved win in the Revamp Restoration And Conservation Handicap for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen, following three seconds from five previous starts.

Coen was one of the last to make a move, asking Newtown Anner Stud’s homebred son of Beckford for an effort two furlongs from home. Improving into second a furlong later, he ran on to beat Clive Cox’s well-backed challenger Shameful by three parts of a length, while Madrid Handicap winner East Hampton finished well in third.

“He’s a very solid little horse, he’s been knocking on the door all season,” Murtagh said after the race. “I thought maybe after getting hiked in the handicap for finishing second in a maiden he might struggle but he’s very tough and genuine.

“Ben said he surprises him every time he rides him. We’ll look at the Britannia maybe because he should be in that bracket now.”

Thought of the day

The demise of Irish sprinters is no new topic, but was emphasised by British trainers completing a 1-2 in a poor renewal of the Greenlands Stakes. Though many trainers would jump at a chance to have Big Gossey, the fact that he finished best of the home team is a sad reflection of affairs. This race was previously won by the likes of Gordon Lord Byron and Slade Power, with Maarek amongst their rivals.

Dish of the day

Reporting requires snappy snacks and thanks to Shoda Cafe located in the Queen’s Room, you needn’t compromise on quality. In this day and age, racecourses must enhance the customer experience to draw customers from the comfort of their couches, and food and drink is a major part of that. Covid increased the choice and calibre of food trucks and coffee vans nationwide, so Irish racecourses have no excuse.

Eyecatcher of the day

Our Friend Mouse entered many a notebook in the concluding maiden over 10 furlongs. His rivals may have tired, but Andy Oliver’s newcomer displayed a likeable attitude when running on to take second close home. He should come on from this and shaped like he will appreciate a step up in trip.

Quote of the day

“This is a proper track, it’s a very fair track, so we wanted to come here and prove he was a classic winner.” John Gosden didn’t mention the dreaded dips of Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, but I’m sure they were in his thoughts

Question of the day

“The stage is set. The race is on. The Maestro is ready. Are you?” Lost? So was I as I read the placards advertising the Irish Guineas fixture, as I drove up to the Curragh.

Racing and racecourses have increasingly adopted advertising campaigns that ignore the equine stars on which they depend, presumably to avoid focussing on a horse that may later miss their target. Or maybe they don’t think horses will attract crowds, and if that’s the case, we’re all in trouble.

Field Of Gold’s Newmarket defeat and subsequent Irish aim should have been the focus for the Curragh’s advertising team. Lake Victoria and a stellar field Tattersalls Gold Cup were other draws, while the Moyglare Kidzone, Whispering Angel tent and improved catering options were added bonuses.

The wet weather kept most fans at home, but I’m not sure there would have been impressive crowds in better circumstances if the promotion was anything to go by.