Pyrus could have Royal Ascot on his agenda after making a successful debut in the Listed Napolina Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh today.
The son of Mr Prospector looked a potentially smart sort when taking the five furlong contest under an educational ride from Mick Kinane.
The 11/10 favourite tracked English pacesetter Innit until asked for an effort from a furlong-and-a-half out.
It took a few strides for the debutant to get into gear but he asserted inside the final 200 yards for a comfortable length-and-a-half victory over the staying on maiden Coney Kitty.
'He's a smashing colt. It's a big call to win this first time out - they have to know their job.' commented winning trainer Aidan O'Brien afterwards.
'He's a very good colt and we will obviously look at Royal Ascot.'
'Mick said they couldn't go quick enough for him. He showed the natural speed of Mr Prospector and is a very natural horse.'
O'Brien and Kinane doubled up when Glyndebourne obiliged at 9/10 in the concluding BPB Gypsum Industries Maiden.
The colt lead rounding the turn but was headed again two furlongs out before asserting inside the last 200 yards for a length-and-a-half success over Narrateur.
The winner flashed his tail with each strike of Kinane's whip but picked up for hands and heels late on.
'He's a tough horse and will be aimed at the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. He will love a trip.' said O'Brien
John Oxx also has Ascot on his mind following the victory of Namid (3/1f) in the Group Three Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes.
The lightly-raced Indian Ridge colt has taken well to his sprinting role and quickened impressively under Johnny Murtagh to land the six furlong contest.
The field spread right across the track as pacesetter Gorse came under pressure two furlongs out and the winner showed a smart turn of foot to quickly settle the issue with a furlong-and-a-half to go. Murtagh's mount kept on well, despite drifting over to the rail, scoring by a length-and-a-half from Social Harmony - who had been in the firing line all the way.
'He won well at Cork last time and we expected improvement today - which we got. Horses tend to need a few sprints to get into the right frame of mind.' explained Oxx.
'We'll look at the King's Stand and the Cork and Orrery at Ascot. He liked that ground today and the mid-summer ground could be a problem but we might have to take a chance on it.'
Con Collins has a habit of striking on Classic days at the Curragh and his filly Mrs Evans stayed on gamely to land the Mulcahy McDonagh and Partners Handicap under Timmy Houlihan.
The filly, who is in foal to the Irish National Stud based Ashkalani, responded well to a strong drive from Houlihan to get up late for a head success over Tushna.
Warren O'Connor enjoyed a dream run up the rail to land the opening Curragh of Kildare Handicap aboard Courageous.
Jessica Harrington's gelding, who scored a comfortable two-and-a-half-length success, will mix it on the flat and over hurdles during the summer.
17-year-old Pat Cosgrove recorded his fourth career success when partnering Osprey Ridge to a stylish length-and-a-half victory in the CBA Handicap.
