Curvy steps up to Pattern class

Curvy brought up her hat-trick with a game effort under Wayne Lordan to fend off the even money favourite Giovanni Canaletto in the Group Three Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh.

The Galileo filly was sent off at 15/2 for this seven-runner race over a mile and a quarter. She tracked the leader Prince Gagarin in second throughout. All eyes were drawn to Giovanni Caneletto though who was switched to the outer by Ryan Moore to make headway in fifth at the two pole.

Lordan went for the whip a furlong and a half out and his charge came to challenge Prince Gagarin inside the furlong marker. At this stage Giovanni Caneletto was making up ground hand over fist in third on the outside.

Curvy grabbed the lead with less than 100 yards to race but faced a strong challenge from Giovanni Caneletto who was thundering home. Curvy stuck at it well though and was all out to win by a neck.

David Wachman said: "She was a big weak filly last year and has come into her own as a three-year-old. She doesn't do a lot when she hits the front.

"She could go for the Ribblesdale, and is entitled to go anywhere now."

On his English 1,000 Guineas winner he added: "Legatissimo seems well. We'll see how she gets on over the next couple of weeks, and hopefully she will go to Epsom for the Oaks."

Wayne Lordan said: "She (Curvy) is an improving filly. She was a bit weak as a two-year-old. Today was a big step up for her. We didn't go much of a gallop so when I jumped I said the closer I am the better for me. She stuck out her head well.

"She's a filly that doesn't do a whole pile. That's why I was a bit worried where I was sitting because she doesn't do a stroke when she gets to the front.

"When the horse on my outside joined me she went forward but just coming to the line she pricked her ears and so there's a little bit of improvement left hopefully.

"She's one of those fillies that the better the race the better she will show so hopefully that's the case."

Curvy's two previous victories came in handicap company.

Paddy Power pushed Giovanni Caneletto out to 16/1 from 8/1 for the Investec Derby. William Hill lengthened him from 10/1 to 16/1 while BoyleSports left him unchanged at 10/1.

Aidan O'Brien said of Giovanni Caneletto: "He's still babyish. He's more professional than he was last year but is still a baby. Ryan looked after him as well as he could, and I'd say he'll get a mile and a half well."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee