Adelaide pulls clear under Joseph O'Brien© Photo Healy Racing
Adelaide powered clear in the closing stages to run out an impressive winner of the Group Three Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh.
Ballydoyle stable-mate Mekong River made the running in the ten furlong contest but gave way at the two furlong pole as Tommy Stack's Boqa hit the front.
His lead was short-lived, however, as 4/6 favourite Adelaide was produced to challenge, by Joseph O'Brien, and soon hit the front.
The son of Galileo, and Queen Mary winner Elletelle, really started to motor inside the final furlong and was pulling clear at the line for a three-length success.
Mekong River kept on again to snatch the runner-up spot close home.
The winner had been narrowly beaten on his seasonal debut in a Group Two contest at Longchamp a fortnight ago. He won his sole start last year in a Leopardstown maiden.
Aidan O'Brien was maintaining his remarkable record in the race and has now saddled nine of the last 11 winners:-
“We were always worried about soft ground with him as he's a lovely moving horse but he's done everything we've asked of him so far.
“He could go to Ascot for the King Edward or there is a chance he could go for the French Derby next week – although it does come up very soon.
“The problem with the French Derby is that it's 1m2f around Chantilly and if you're drawn wide it's very difficult.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
