Lucius makes it six for O'Brien over Guineas weekend

Aidan O'Brien recorded his sixth winner of Guineas weekend at the Curragh, as Lucius Tiberius justified 6/5 favouritism in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Earlier on the mark with Lancaster Bomber O'Brien was completing a double on the day with this son of Camelot, who filled the runner-up berth on his return to action at Navan just over a fortnight ago.

Settled behind the leaders by Donnacha O'Brien, the bay victor came with his challenge on the outer with over two furlongs left to race.

He was ridden to the front over a furlong out, and kept on well from there to score by a length and a quarter. Escapability (11/2 to 4s) finished second under Colm O'Donoghue for Jessica Harrington, while newcomer Dawn Trouper (6/1) was another half a length back in third for Kevin Manning and Jim Bolger.

"He's a nice staying type of horse and he'll stay further," said O'Brien.

"He's a good honest horse. We'll see what kind of mark he gets and he could step into a handicap at Ascot, maybe the mile and a half handicap for three-year-olds."

On his Guineas runners, O'Brien added: "We're delighted with the runs.

"Could It Be Love ran very well and we thought she would. She's a filly that could go back to the Jersey or something like that as she has plenty of pace. She's a big strong traveller.

"Happily ran a very good race and the plan with her was always to step up. She might go to the French Oaks next. It was always going to be a step up in trip after this.

"Clemmie will go to the Coronation, that was always the plan. We thought she was just about ready to come away today. She'll be grand and she'll make great progress."

STEWARDS REPORT

T.P. Madden, rider of Persian Lion trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran up on heels inside the final furlong.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson