Michael Graham
The Pentagon rules the roost in the Curragh
The Pentagon strides clear in the Curragh
© Photo Healy Racing
The Pentagon put in a very taking performance when absolutely pulverising the opposition in the seven furlong juvenile maiden at the Curragh.
Aidan O'Brien's Galileo colt was having his second start after finishing sixth in a soft-ground maiden over course and distance last month. He was a revelation though, on this good to firm ground today.
Ana O'Brien sent him into the lead after a furlong and the pair were clear with a quarter of a mile to travel.
The pursuers, led by 2/1 favourite Bond Street were all off the bridle as The Pentagon moved further clear in the final furlong to win as he pleased by eight and a half lengths.
From a top price of 14/1 in the morning, the winner was returned at 9/2. Medal of Honour (10/3) got up for second by a neck from Bond Street.
“He did it nicely and he's a nice colt. He travelled easy and went forward well when I asked him. We didn't hack (along) and he picked up off it,” Ana O'Brien said.
“He made his own way home and did it the hard way. It was soft ground the first day he ran and he liked that better ground today. It is beautiful good to firm ground."
Betfair gave The Pentagon a quote of 33/1 for the 2,000 Guineas and 25/1 for the Derby.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson