Sunday takes the opener at newly redeveloped Curragh

The first race at the newly redeveloped Curragh Racecourse, the Coolmore Sioux Nation Irish EBF Maiden, went the way of the well-backed Sunday Sovereign

A good fourth on debut at Naas last month, the Paddy Twomey trained Equiano colt touched 4/1 on-course this afternoon, before going off an 11/4 favourite in the colours of the Sunday Racing Club.

Soon in front under Billy Lee, the bay colt made all and was pushed out from the furlong pole, going on to score easily by three lengths.

Newcomer Arizona returned an easy to back 10/3 chance from an opening show of 5/2, ran well to take second under Ryan Moore for Aidan O'Brien, while The Peckhampouncer (50/1) was a further six lengths back in third.

Out of Red Sovereign, who was successful four times, the winner was bought for E30,000 as a yearling at Tattersalls last September.

Twomey said afterwards: "I was happy the way he did it. I felt that he'd come on a lot for his first run and he duly did. That's what I hoped would happen. I wouldn't make any hard and fast plans at the minute."

Billy Lee added: "He's improved a good bit from his first run where he was a bit babyish and missed the kick badly, but he was good and professional today and travelled easy all the way.

"When I gave him a kick he put daylight between them and the right horse was second."

Betfair go 25/1 about Sunday Sovereign for Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee