Ides Of March impresses with emphasis on speed

Race two mirrored race one at the Curragh with the Revamp Conservation And Restoration Irish EBF Maiden again seeing Ballydoyle dominate with the first two home. Again a short-priced favourite in the hands of Ryan Moore took top honours, Ides Of March leading the big field of sprinters home at odds of even money.

It wasn't difficult to see where Aidan O’Brien's post race comment came from when he stated - “Coming back in trip suited him and he could be a Group sprinter. He’s a powerful, big horse."

Indeed the imposing Wootton Bassett juvenile was looking good from some way out (dominant from the front) and in the end on start number three the victor accounted for his stable-mate Monumental by three lengths.

“He could be one for something like the Middle Park with a run in between," elaborated O'Brien.

“I think there is a six-furlong Listed race back here that he could go for next.”

The Group 3 Round Tower Stakes also at HQ at the end of the month may well now feature on Ides Of March's itinerary.

The Raceday Stewards received a report from Ms. N. O'Connor, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer, that Montpellier Green trained by J.P. O'Brien, was found to be a gelding and not a colt as shown on the passport presented. Having considered the report the Raceday Stewards fined J.P. O'Brien €130 in accordance with the provisions of Rule 148(xii).

M.P. Sheehy, rider of Peaceful Dove (GB), trained by Joe Conlon, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was very slowly away.

(AM & EM)