BUCKHURST got back to winning ways with a stylish performance in the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises International Stakes at the Curragh.

Not disgraced at this level twice after being successful on his debut in a Leopardstown maiden in April, Buckhurst showed he is a colt full of potential.

Giving trainer Joseph O’Brien a double after Speak In Colours struck in a listed race earlier on the card, the Lloyd Williams-owned colt asserted in the final furlong for jockey Wayne Lordan.

The 2/1 favourite was in command where it mattered to land this 10-furlong prize by a length and a half from Blenheim Palace, with Georgeville third.

“That was lovely, and Wayne gave him a lovely ride,” said O’Brien. “He’s a decent horse – we brought him to Ascot last week, but we didn’t run because the ground was quite soft over there. He loved the bit of good ground today.”

“We’ll see how he comes out of the race, but we won’t be in a rush with him. He didn’t run at two, and he’s had plenty of racing this year so far.

“He’ll step up in trip at some stage – he’s an Australia, but he doesn’t need to go further yet. He’ll go a mile-and-a-half at some stage.

“He should be a better horse next year. He’s still learning, and when the horses came around him today he went on again.”

Future targets will be decided in due course.

Lordan said: “He’s a very straight forward colt. I just wanted to sit forward, and he stays well. He hasn’t much experience – that’s only his fourth start. I didn’t want to get stopped on him, so was happy to go a bit wide and have my own space.

“He got to the line well and is an exciting colt. I think he can keep progressing, and you would think he should get further.”