Trainer Kevin Prendergast has made a great start to the new season and had his 9th winner when Decado won the Group 3 Rock Of Gibraltar EBF Tetrarch Stakes at The Curragh today.
The well backed 5/2 favourite was held up by stable jockey Declan McDonogh before making headway on the stand's side two furlongs out, getting to the front over one furlong out, staying on well for a three and a half length win.
Afterwards Prendergast reported 'Decado keeps surprising us and, after we see how he is after this, he will probably go for the Irish 2,000 Guineas.'
Jockey Johnny Murtagh recorded a double at the meeting, partnering Kevin McDonagh's Senor Benny to win the Choisir Handicap before partnering Jazz Princess to win the Group 3 Oratio EBF Athasi Stakes, half an hour later.
Senor Benny has already had a busy, and profitable, campaign and made it two wins from five runs, proving a length and a half too strong for runner-up Dafaroun.
Jazz Princess, formerly a good performer for Jessica Harrington, made a winning start for new trainer Michael Halford in the Group 3 Oratio EBF Athasi Stakes under Murtagh.
The daughter of Bahhare raced prominently throughout, led over two furlongs out, and battled gamely to see off the challenge of Ardbrae Lady by a length and a half.
Tommy Stack's Drayton maintained his unbeaten record when winning the opening Listed Coolmore Stakes, under Wayne Lordan.
The son of Danetime made all and although strongly pressed inside the final furlong, battled well to hold off Karl Burke's Chjimes by a head.
Stack's son Fozzy later commented 'we'll go for the Marble Hill Stakes next before hopefully either going to Royal Ascot or to the Railway Stakes.'
John Oxx's Alayan made all to defeat odds-on Ace to win the Group 3 High Chaparral EBF Mooresbridge Stakes under Mick Kinane while Dermot Weld's Cosmic String landed the Statue Of Liberty Handicap under Pat Smullen.
At Limerick, restricted license holder Shane Kelly, 22, trained his 3rd winner since gaining his license a year ago, when Misty's Express landed the Patrickswell GAA Hunters Chase, under Roger Quinlan.
Kelly, who had 20 rides in point to points, later reported 'I'm best friends for years with Shaun McManus, who was injured at a point to point last year, and I've six horses in training at Streamstown, Co. Westmeath'.
Colm Murphy, now firmly established as more than a one-horse trainer, saddled a double.
Following What's Up Doc win in the Coyle Hamilton Willis Maiden Hurdle, under Davy Russell, Murphy reported 'he only does the bare minimum but he loves that quick ground and will head for Galway during the summer.'
Two hours later, Murphy's Umrigar Lord won the U-Bet Bookmaker QR Handicap Hurdle, under promising 7lb claimer Donie Fahy.
Murphy later praised the winning rider before mentioning 'I only have Umrigar Lord eight weeks and he was entitled to win although he's a bit of a character.'
Jockey Davy Russell later completed a double of his own, riding Arthur Moore's In Technicolor to win the Nutec EBF Beginners Chase.
Moore later commented 'jumping is his game and he loves the fast ground; Galway is on his agenda later this summer.'
Along with Russell, jockey Richie Kiely cuts out the early running for the National Hunt riders' championship and he partnered his second winner of the new season on Willie Mullins' Baltimore Hill in the maiden hurdle.
