PURVIEW backed up last month’s six-length listed win with his first Group 3 success in the Dubai Duty Free International Stakes on Irish Derby Day at the Curragh.

Trained by Dermot Weld for owner/breeder Juddmonte Farms, the Kingman colt got every yard of a mile and a half in the Orby Stakes last time, but the pace he showed and his listed win over ten furlongs at the end of last season saw the four-year-old sent off the even-money favourite as he dropped back in trip on Sunday.

Colin Keane oozed confidence approaching the two-furlong pole, and after easing into the lead, he asked the bay to quicken and was in command a furlong later. Purview kept on well as last year’s winner Trustyourinstinct (17/2) finished strong to narrow the winning margin to three parts of a length, while Hotazhell (6/1) finished the same distance back again in third.

Though the winning margin was a good deal shorter than last month’s, Purview appeared to win quite comfortably, and Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon said connections were ‘very happy’ with the performance.

“I think the ground was probably a little bit on the quick side for him and the last day it was 12 (furlongs), back to 10 for him today, so those two things were probably never going to lead to an impressive performance,” he reflected.

Conditions to consider

“Colin said he put it to bed very quickly and that he just probably wasn’t doing a lot in front. He’s a hugely talented horse and as I said, given the right conditions, I think there could be a good day in him somewhere along the line.”

On what he considers to be Purview’s best trip, Mahon commented: “I think he’s effective over both, but my gut says 12 is a bit better for him, I just think maybe he travels a little easier through the race and quickens more effectively over 12, but as I said, he’s not bad over 10 either.

“We hear Aidan O’Brien say it every year – all those good staying horses do have speed. I think he fits into that category. Kingman probably gives him the speed and the mare was by Sea The Stars, so that’s probably where the stamina is coming from. When the two work together, you get that devastating turn of foot over middle distance.”

On future plans, he added: “We don’t really have anything concrete. Today was kind of the main thing, we’re taking it one step at a time. I suppose we’ll freshen him up and look at Champions Weekend.”