Orandi pounces late for Irish Lincolnshire honours at the Curragh

Martin explained: “We decided to aim him at either this or the English Lincoln after he went close here last November and he did a sparkling bit of work in Leopardstown recently, with some of the Cheltenham horses.

“We were fortunate to have Shane, he rode the horse a couple of times last year and got to know him. He used to miss the break, but Shane got him out sharp today and gave him a chance early and crept his way into it.

“He was consistent all last year, although he only won once. He needs a dig in the ground, so he won’t run on fast summer ground, but Galway might suit him. He’s in the English Lincoln, but it’s less than two weeks away and I’d say he’s less than 50-50 to go there.” 

Dermot Weld was on the mark with his first runner of the new campaign when well-backed 2-1 favourite Bint Queen Kindly overcame 76-rated Copacabana Sands in the Alkumait At Capital Stud Fillies Maiden, the second leg of a double for stable jockey Chris Hayes.

“She’s a filly from a good family with a lot of talent,” said Weld, having trained his first winner for Jaber Abdullah. “She’ll be even better on better ground, but not firm. She quickened up nicely and we’ll look for a stakes race for her next. There’s a lot of speed in her family and seven furlongs is good for her — she might stay a mile. And Chris gave her a lovely ride and taught her a lot.” 

Hayes had initiated his double on board Laugh A Minute, a three-time winner over five furlongs here, who got up late to beat Love Billy Boy and course specialist Big Gossey in the Nua Healthcare Handicap.

The remarkable 10-year-old was giving trainer Stephen Thorne his first turf winner, having enjoyed a tremendous winter campaign, which culminated in a Friday night treble, in Dundalk.

“He’s not as speedy as he was, so six furlongs suits him better,” said Thorne, “His prep run in Dundalk was better than three pieces of work. This will be his last campaign — he’ll be retired when the time is right.” 

For the third successive year, Adrian Murray took the opening two-year-old event of the season, scoring this time with 5-2 shot Power Blue, a first winner for his sire Space Blues, who picked-up well to beat gambled-on favourite Slaney View by three and three-quarter lengths.

“He’s very nice but still green and babyish,” commented Murray’s assistant Robson Aguilar. “He needs six furlongs already and he should improve a lot. We’ll see how he is before we decide to run him again or give him a break.” 

The Leigh Roche-ridden Back Down Under struck for local trainer Pádraig Roche in the Nua Healthcare Handicap, holding Dark Viper by a half-length.

“JP and Noreen (McManus) have been kind enough to let the lads lease her for another year,” explained Roche. “She has definitely improved from three to four and handles that ground well. So we’ll see what the handicapper does and we might have more fun with her.” 

Ciarán Murphy was a happy man after Dupont Law (Dylan Browne McMonagle) got the better of the Aidan O’Brien-trained favourite First Wave in the Bermingham Cameras Maiden. He said: "He’s a smart horse, as nice as we’ve had for a while.” 

The winning rider was denied a double in the concluding six-furlong maiden, when his mount 6-4 favourite Mathan failed by a neck to the Jim Bolger-trained 25-1 shot Glen To Glen, a second winner for apprentice Gabriela Hill.

“He’s straightforward, a suitable ride for an apprentice,” said Bolger. “I thought six might have been a bit short for him, but he managed it well.”