Smooth debut win for Adelaide River

Adelaide River (11/4) impressed in the two-year-old maiden over a mile when winning nicely for Aidan O’Brien and Wayne Lordan.

The Australia colt missed the break but soon moved up to sit a close second to front-running 8/11 favourite Gimmie Shelter The latter certainly got no peace in the lead and was niggled along some way from home. Adelaide River took the favourite’s measure over a furlong out and kept on well to score by a comfortable two and three quarter lengths. Golden Temple stayed on to grab second from the fading market leader.

The winner's dam, Could It Be Love, won her maiden at this venue and went on to be runner-up in the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Lordan commented: "He's a lovely colt. He always showed a bit at home but was always the lazy one as well. He went down to the start today nice and sleepy.

"He jumped a bit slow, but thankfully I had the room to get him up into a good position. He came down past the two (pole) well and went forward nicely and was pricking his ears. He had plenty left.

"I was just travelling but that's the way he is and you would know there is plenty there. When he did get there, he pulled up a bit.

"He is just one of those types you would never know how much he is going to keep improving. He is a fine horse."

Paddy Power gave the winner a quote of 40/1 for the Derby.

Quotes from Michael Graham