Komnenos springs shock in opener

Alexios Komnenos sprang a 50/1 shock in the opener at the Curragh when quickening up nicely inside the final furlong to make a winning debut for Tommy Stack. Sebastian Bach cut out the running in the seven-furlong contest but was tackled just inside the final furlong by Inca Gold and then Alexios Komnenos.

It was Wayne Lordan's mount who soon asserted to secure a convincing three length victory. Ballydoyle colt Inca Gold prevailed by half a length for the runner-up spot from the long-time leader. Taj Mahal a full-brother to Gleneagles, was sent off the 10/11 favourite but was ridden along towards the rear soon after leaving the stalls, by Ryan Moore, and could only kept on one-paced in the closing stages to finish seventh.

Fozzy Stack said afterwards:- "I was a bit worried about the ground as he's such a good mover. It was slower than ideal and Wayne said it was a bit slower than yesterday.

"He's nicely bred from a Moyglare family and is out of a Montjeu mare so he should get a mile no problem.

"He's still a bit weak so we'll take our time. He's always worked well and I expected him to run a nice race."

(Quotes by Alan Magee)