Granddukeoftuscany's change of tactics

Granddukeoftuscany had a facile success in the extended mile and a half maiden in Tipperary as he galloped his rivals into the rain-sodden turf.

On his debut run at the Curragh he was held up in rear and stayed on into sixth, but today the 13/8 favourite was soon sent into the lead by Joseph O’Brien. The pair went clear approaching the straight and tanked towards the line in putting 19 lengths on runner-up Gambling Girl (20/1).

This was a turnaround in form with Wrap Star who was third in that race in the Curragh, but who could only manage fourth today.

Aidan O’Brien said: “He ran very well the first day and he kept galloping. He has taken time to mature and he’s been there a long time. He’s from a good mature staying pedigree.

“We’ll train him for the Great Voltigeur and he’ll get a rest after this. The soft ground didn’t seem to stop him there.”

And on Irish Derby favourite Australia who runs in the big race at the Curragh on Saturday O’Brien added: “We all know he wants fast ground. There’s a lot of rain forecast for Saturday morning. A lot can change. We want to run him, but he doesn’t want soft ground.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes