IT has been a fairly quiet time for flat racing in Ireland, but the return of the Curragh last Monday quickened the pulse. The highlight was the Coolmore Highland Reel Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes, with each of the four runners at least smart.

Magical duly landed the odds, but not especially impressively in what was a messy race, worth a figure of just 112 even after sectionals have been taken into account.