ROYAL Ascot could be on the cards for Aix La Chapelle after the well-bred colt made a winning debut for Ballydoyle at the Curragh on Wednesday.

The Justify colt, a half-brother to Henri Matisse, looked to be second string in the Sky Bet Club Irish EBF Maiden but stayed on best for Wayne Lordan to land the spoils.

The 4/1 shot collared front-runner Bull Shark in the closing stages for a length-and-a-half victory. 4/9 stablemate Giant Sequoia finished back in third.

Aidan O’Brien said afterwards: “We’re delighted with him. They were horses that we were getting out in case they were Chesham horses. He’s a sleeper at home, he’s a beautiful horse. He could be a Chesham horse now. They went along there and he did well as he was never away. Wayne gave him a lovely ride.”

Windsor Castle calling

The Windsor Castle could be next on the agenda for the Michael O’Callaghan-trained Celeron after a winning debut in the Pension Structures Irish EBF Maiden. Jamie Powell sent the 18/1 shot to the front two furlongs out and asserted late on to beat One Number by two lengths.

“He’s a good horse and he’s won like a good horse. Jamie said he was pricking his ears at the line,” said O’Callaghan, who trains the winner for the New Morning Syndicate

“I’m one of the very few trainers that’s delighted to see the new conditions of the Windsor Castle. Six furlongs for stallions that have won over seven and a half furlongs or further, which Mohaather has done. That’s the plan now, he’ll probably go there.”

Piper’s plans change

Ascot had originally been the plan for The Piper’s Call but connections may head another direction after his success in the TRI Equestrian Maiden. Scott McCullagh was in front after a couple of furlongs on the Ten Sovereigns gelding and he stuck on well in the closing stages to secure a neck victory over Tide Of Fortune.

Trainer Danny McLoughlin said: “Scott said he took a blow about half a furlong from home but he said his class just dug him out. He’s probably only 90% fit. He’s a big horse and he’s like a child’s pony at home.

“We’ve been minding him, like you have to do with the better ones, and hopefully that’s only the start. I always thought he could be a Jersey horse but it’s probably going to come a bit quick now. We’ll look after him and see how he pulls out of it, get him home and make a plan then.”

POETIC Sound bounced back to form when landing the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Handicap for Ger Lyons and his daughter Kerri.

Colin Keane steered the Poet’s Word gelding, in his fiancee’s colours, producing him to collar Factual Fact in the closing stages for a length-and-a-half success.

A trip to York could now be on the cards for the 10/1 winner: “Sure it would be bad manners not to go over and enjoy the Ebor if he’s alive and well,” said the winning trainer. “I’m delighted for Kerri, it’s the first winner in her colours. She rides him out every day.

“He’s been a slow burner, he’s had his issues. He’s just a pet. He just lost it last year and he looked like he had given up. He’s the slowest horse in the yard by a trillion miles! I never know how he is going to run but Colin said it’s the best he’s ever felt.”

Lyons was completing a quick double on the card having also struck with Amiata in the preceding Sky Bet Price Boosts Premier Handicap.

Keane produced his mount with a strong burst between horses in the closing stages as the 7/1 shot got up late on for a neck success over Real Encounter.

“He’s for lovely owners. Philip and Norma Richards are Welsh but they live in the Isle Of Man,” said Lyons. “He’s a good, fun, horse to have while the two-year-olds are growing up.”

SOMMELIER popped up at 20/1 in the concluding six-furlong handicap but the win came as no surprise to trainer Kieran Cotter. Paddy Harnett gave the five-year-old a positive ride, making all and kicking for home two furlongs out for a length-and-three-quarter victory over Irish Rumour.

“His past form was a class above these,” said Cotter. “Rob (Egan) bought him on spec, he had a few issues and injuries and we let him off. It took a few runs to get his confidence back. He was second to Big Evs in a stakes race at York and he dropped down to 70 here with Paddy claiming another 5lb. I’m delighted for Rob, it’s his first winner.”

Impressive

In the other sprint handicap on the card, the opening three-year-old contest, Meriden ran out an impressive winner. The Denis Hogan-trained filly went to post 3/1 favourite to follow up on a Down Royal success five days previous. Joey Sheridan produced her to lead a furlong out and

she soon asserted for a three-and-a-half-length win over front-runner Amerilis. “That was brilliant, you are always taking a chance when you go back quick,” said Hogan. “She was so well on Monday morning I said to (owner) Patrick (O’Brien) that we had to run her. There is a lovely race for her here on Derby weekend, a fillies-only, seven-furlong handicap. It looks made for her so I’d say that will be her next stop.”

Breakthrough success

Joseph O’Brien is also eyeing a ‘nice fillies’ handicap’ for Arrietty after she made the breakthrough in the mile-and-a-half maiden. Dylan Browne McMonagle was prominent throughout on the 15/8 favourite and she led over two furlongs from home to beat stablemate Pleased by three and a quarter lengths.

“She’s been very consistent and has been progressing from run to run,” said O’Brien. “She could step into a nice fillies’ handicap or something like that.”