Restive makes experience count

Restive put his experience to good use when making all in the opening mile maiden at the Curragh this afternoon.

Ger Lyons' charge was making his third start in a field mostly made up of newcomers in the Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital EBF Maiden.

Colin Keane bounced out in front on the Rip Van Winkle colt, owned by Qatar Racing, and he was asked to go about his business two furlongs from home.

The well backed 4/1 shot (10/1 in morning) kept on well in the closing stages to score by a length from Stellar Mass who had given chase throughout. Mutadaffeq ran on eye-catchingly from the back in third.

The winner had kept on nicely to finish third on his last outing at Leopardstown.

Shane Lyons, the trainer's brother and assistant, said afterwards:- "You can't beat a run. Colin said he was still a bit green, and he'll be a lovely horse for next year. He bounced off the ground."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)