Review CURRAGH 22ND APR

Softly Tread maintained her unbeaten record when landing the Group 3 Gladness Stakes in grand style at the Curragh this afternoon.

Con Collins' filly was driven out to defeat Social Harmony by two lengths, and in doing so became the second three year-old in to capture the all-aged contest, after Giant's Causeway's triumph last year.

With Pine Dance a non-runner and 1/1 favourite Perigee Moon disappointing, the race may have taken less winning than usual, but there was much to like about the way the bottom-weight went about her task.

'She did everything right, and will probably go for the 1000 Guineas now,' said trainer Con Collins. 'She'd really prefer better ground,' he added.

Rayyana looks a filly with a bright future following an impressive winning debut in the 1m2f maiden, scoring by 3 1/2 lengths under Johnny Murtagh.

'I was a little concerned about the ground beforehand,' admitted John Oxx. 'Her dam liked it fast, and so do most of (sire) Rainbow Quest's progeny.'

'She may go for a Listed race at Cork on 18th May next,' he added of the Epsom Oaks entry.

Lawz demonstrated once again what a tough performer he is when holding off Dame Portia (whose jockey Timmy Houlihan picked up a two-day suspension) by a head in the 1m2f handicap.

'He is a real specialist at this trip, and the softer the ground the better for him,' said a delighted Pat Hughes afterwards.

The gelding may revert to obstacles in the Powers Gold Label Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse for his next outing.

Robert Sangster was on hand to see King Of Tara, which he owns in partnership with Sue Magnier, cruise to a five-length debut victory in the 1m maiden.

This impeccably-bred colt looks sure to go on to better things, and is likely to step up in distance next time, according to his handler Aidan O'Brien.

Ridyan (5/1-7/2f) just had enough in the locker to hold the late surge of Wow in the 6f handicap and ensure a nice 'touch' for connections.

Jockey Mick Hussey was hard at work some way from home, but his mount responded generously inside the final furlong to prevail by a head before surviving a stewards' enquiry.

Hussey did not escape scot free however as he was handed a four-day ban, two for using his whip with excessive frequency and two for careless riding.

Always Rainbows (4/1-11/4f) was another to justify good market support in the 1m1f handicap, coming home strongly under 7lb claimer Pat Cosgrave to continue the rich vein of form of the Kevin Prendergast yard.

Tommy Stack's Dangerous Years reversed last week's Leopardstown form with favourite Agnetha to capture the opening 5f juvenile maiden.

The #6,000 Doncaster purchase had run green on that occasion, and could go for the Marble Hill Stakes after demonstrating the benefit of that outing.

Ancelin (4/6-4/5-4/6f) led entering the final furlong for a facile twelve-length success in the concluding 2m race to complete a double for the Oxx/Murtagh combination.