Eye Storms to easy Listed success

It proved straight forward for Eye Of The Storm as he justified his short price in the Edmund & Josie Whelan Memorial Stakes at Listowel this afternoon.

Joseph O'Brien, completing a double on the card, tracked leader Inis Meain throughout in the mile-and-a-half listed contest before letting his mount hit the front with just under half a mile to run.

The champion jockey asked his mount for an effort in the straight and he galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a cosy two-and-a-half length success over the early leader.

The well-backed 10/11 favourite (from 5/4) was confirming Galway placings with Inis Meain as the pair had been second and third behind Missunited nine days ago.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained winner had been making his return from a break then having last run in April when just denied by Sugar Boy in the Sandown Classic Trial.

“He didn't do the right thing at Galway. It was his first run for a long time and he ran off the first bend. That cost me the race as he lost six lengths,” said O'Brien junior.

“The plan today was to get him relaxed and lets things happen after that. It was his first time left handed and we were worried about that but he quickened up well. He wants nicer ground.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)