Despite having no luck at Royal Ascot this afternoon, Aidan O’Brien recorded an opening race double at Limerick this evening as his Battle Of Saratoga took the 8th July Beach Party At Limerick Races Maiden with Colm O’Donoghue in the saddle.

The winning 3yo son of Dylan Thomas was having his eighth career start today and his third as a 3yo.

He disappointed over 1m 2f at Naas and Roscommon on his last two starts but dropped back in trip to a mile today, he made all and went on from two furlongs out, staying on well to score by three and a half lengths.

The Andy Oliver trained Shamora was the one for money and she was backed on track from 7/4 into 6/4 clear favourite at the off as they winner drifted from his opening show of 15/8 out to 2/1.

However Shamora couldn’t match the winner and had to settle for second while the Mick Halford trained newcomer Russian Soul (who ran loose before the start) finished a further two and three parts of a length back in third at 7/1 under Shane Foley.