Romanised sets himself up nicely ahead of Deauville repeat bid

On his first start since September dual Group One winner Romanised impressed when landing the Group Two Paddy Power Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh for the second year running.

Second favourite at 9/4 behind 10/11 market-leader Lancaster House Romanised tracked the leaders as ‘the jolly’ made the running.

Third at the halfway stage the Ken Condon-trained and Billy Lee-ridden five-year-old didn’t enjoy a clear run under two furlongs out.

Switched left and making headway between horses to lead early in the final furlong, the 2018 Irish 2,000 Guineas hero was ridden and kept on well to beat Lancaster House by a length and three parts.

The admirable mare Surrounding was two and a quarter lengths back in third.

“It's lovely to see him back as it's been ten months,” said Condon.

“We were anxious to start him on his own doorstep and what better place than here in a race he's won before and obviously he has good form here. I'm delighted with that.

“He's a year older and wiser and he was just a little bit slow to jump off (on the way to start) but then he seemed to go down very nicely.

“Billy said he gave him a great feel and that's the most important part of the day. I liked the way he looked to race just behind the bit all the time.

“Every time he gave him a squeeze he came forward. He had a choice late on whether to go around Ronan or stay where he was and he backed the horse to quicken for him when he needed him.

“He's very pleased and I'm delighted. He had a blow too but it's important after being out for so long as there is no substitute for a match, you can do all the training you like.

“He wouldn't be mad about that ground, it's dead ground, he wants genuine good ground, just on the fast side is what he needs. Then you can really see his acceleration and turn of foot.

“His penultimate furlong in Deauville that time was 10.6 seconds, he has the ability to really quicken.

“He's overcome the ground and done it in a very good way. I'm sure he'll take plenty from the race. Billy said he had a nice blow and he knows he's had a race. I'm sure that will bring him on.

“He'll go back to Deauville now to try and win the Jacques Le Marois again. It's four weeks so it's a nice bit of time between now and then for him to take this race and get something from it.

“Hopefully he can go there in good form and give a good account of himself.”

(GC & EM)