Group 1 winner Above The Curve continued her fine season for Joseph O’Brien and the Coolmore partners when landing the Group 2 Moyglare Jewels Blandford Stakes under Ryan Moore at the Curragh on Sunday.

Unseen since winning the Group 1 Prix Alary at ParisLongchamp in May, Above The Curve was produced in prime condition by O’Brien to see off a stellar field with Insinuendo a neck back in second.

O’Brien said: “I thought it was a fantastic ride from Ryan. It was the filly’s first run back after a lay-off. I thought she’d come on a bit for the run. She’s a classy filly and a Group 1 winner and her attitude showed in the last 100 yards. When the going was getting tough, she put her head out and she fought all the way to the line, beating a very good filly.

“The plan was that this would be a nice stepping stone for the Prix de l’Opera on Arc day. That should set her up lovely for that and she’s a course and distance winner already. She’s a huge, big filly, she’s actually 17 hands. For a three-year-old filly that’s an incredible height. She seems to have progressed from the spring and hopefully she can progress in the future.”

Shock winner

There was a shock winner to the opening race as 50/1 shot Dexter Belle scored in the €150,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Bold Lad’ Sprint Handicap.

It was an inspired ride from Andrew Slattery, who was making most of the opportunity which arose as a result of Hollie Doyle being redirected to the rescheduled Doncaster fixture. Slattery partnered the son of Ajaya to a neck victory over No More Porter in second and Mr Wagyu was a further head back in third, while Laugh A Minute was only a nose behind in fourth.

“I loved her when I got her, thought she was well handicapped,” said Lynam. “She ran a bit disappointing for me, but okay Guineas weekend. Ran stink the next day. But my horses were out of form.

“She was in good form today and that Hollie Doyle rides well!” concluded the Dunshaughlin trainer with a trademark punchline.