Lordan pulls the strings on Puppet Master

The 1/2 favourite Puppet Master confirmed Killarney form with Starry Desert to win the BoyleSports Money Back If 2nd To SP Fav Irish EBF Maiden.

Aidan O'Brien 's Camelot colt, owned by the Coolmore partners, had been two and a half lengths in front of Starry Desert when finishing runner-up on debut at the Kerry venue. Here, under Wayne Lordan, he took a lead off that rival before taking command off the home bend and had four lengths to spare over Jessica Harrrington's colt on this occasion.

Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: "He is a lovely colt who had a lovely run with Jack (Cleary) in Killarney and coming here with a run under your belt really stands to you. He can travel, quicken and will be a lovely middle-distance horse for next year. 

"It was Wayne's first time sitting on him and he was delighted with him and thought he has the makings of a really nice horse. He has a very good attitude and he also has a turn of foot, which is important.

"At the moment he will be in the mix for the Beresford (Stakes)."

It was a fourth maiden winner, from four runners, for O'Brien and Lordan at Ballybrit this week after victories for Rock Of Cashel, Bubbling and Andromeda. 

Quotes from Tom Weekes