Impressive Irish may now be Guineas bound

The Mick Halford trained Irishcorrespondent made it two from two, as he ran out an impressive winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race.

A comfortable winner on debut at Leopardstown last month, the son of Teofilo was available at 6/4 last night, opening on-course at just 4/5, before going off the clear market leader at 8/11.

Settled in third, the Ballygallon Stud owned colt took closer order from two furlongs out, and was pushed along to lead with a furlong left to go.

He extended his advantage inside the final furlong, staying on well to score by four and a half lengths under Shane Foley. Homesman (5/1) finished second under Donnacha O'Brien for his father Aidan, while Branch Line was another seven and a half lengths back in third.

Mick Halford said afterwards: "He's a lovely horse. He has everything. He's got temperament, action, cruising speed and he quickens. He's a very smart horse.

"We were half tempted to drop him back to seven for the Tetrarch but I thought the ground was very quick for him and I wasn't keen on dropping him back to seven either.

"This race was here for him so we said we'd take our time.

"After he won his maiden we entered him in the Guineas at the second entry stage. It's hard on the back of a maiden win to know what you have but I think after that we'd be tempted to take his chance.

"Shane thought he came forward again. He had a little blow so we left a bit to work on. It's only a fortnight away but the run should improve him.

"The good ones go on any ground but I just wouldn't want it like the road."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson