Minsk takes finale for McCullagh/Oxx

Minsk opened his account when taking the concluding mile and a half handicap in the hands of Niall McCullagh at the Curragh.

The 9/2 chance struck the front entering the straight, and kept on well under pressure to beat Quaintly (13/2) by a length and three quarters with the well-backed Bat Masterson (5/2) another half length away in third.

Winning trainer John Oxx said: “He's a nice, big backward type and should improve as the year goes on. He stays well, handled the ground and is honest.”

Alan Magee