Impressive debut winner Great Barrier Reef maintained his unbeaten record with a commanding performance in the Kilkea Castle Marble Hill Stakes, whilst also making it two two on the day for Ballydoyle, with stablemate Sun Goddess having bolted up in the opening maiden.

Sent off 8/15 favourite for the Group 3 won by Albert Einstein last year, the chesnut dwelt slightly in the stalls and was settled at the back of the field by Ryan Moore, while Wayne Lordan blazed a trail out on front aboard stablemate Carry The Flag.

Two furlongs from home, it looked like the leader might win the six-furlong contest, but Great Barrier Reef found another gear 110 yards out and powered to the front, going on to beat Carry The Flag by a length and a quarter. The Robson de Aguiar-trained Immortal Guard claimed third.

The Coolmore and Westerberg-owned winner started the day as 3/1 favourite for the Coventry Stakes and shortened into 5/2 following his second success.

Despite his short price on Sunday, O’Brien had an element of doubt in his mind ahead of the race, he later revealed.

No need to worry

“We pitched him into a deep piece of work the last day at home and he got a bit lost in it so we weren’t sure was there a reason,” the trainer reported. “We couldn’t find any reason – he came out of the work very well and very fresh.

“Wayne let his horse roll along – you’d be very happy with him at five [furlongs]. Ryan said his lad was very green in the stalls – he whinnied and missed it, so he gave him a chance in the first half of the race.

“He flew home but he said he had to pull him and teach him, and he said when he got there, he did it very easy. He’s obviously a high-class horse, but he’s still babyish and green.”

Great Barrier Reef is a full-brother to Mystery Power, who won the July Stakes for Richard Hannon, and O’Brien is confident his No Nay Never colt will get the seven-furlong trip, too.

“If he comes out of it okay, we’ll leave him go to the Coventry. You’d have to be very happy with him. No Nay Nevers have loads of speed but he looks like he probably will get seven [furlongs].”