Shelir leads home his rivals under Chris Hayes© Photo Healy Racing
The Dermot Weld trained Shelir stayed on best to land the Coolmore Churchill Irish EBF Tetrarch Stakes, maintaining his unbeaten record in the process.
A winner on debut at Navan in March, the son of Dark Angel was sent off an 8/1 chance this afternoon, with Chris Hayes in the saddle.
Settled in mid-division on the outer, he was pushed along shortly after halfway, and was ridden from the furlong pole, getting to the front inside the final 100 yards, before going on to score by a length and a quarter. Eclipse Storm (33/1) ran on well to take second under Conor Maxwell for Fozzy Stack, while Flash Gordon (15/2) was a short head away in third for Shane Foley and Jessica Harrington. I Am Superman who was returned the 11/8 favourite, hit the front over two furlongs out, but folded tamely in the closing stages, eventually finishing fifth.
Weld said afterwards: "He did it very nicely and is still a horse with plenty to learn about racing. I was always confident over the last furlong that he was going to get there.
"He'll obviously appreciate a mile which he won over in Navan, and the logical thing is to come back here later this month for the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
"He was a little bit keen in the early part of the race and then settled. It's just his second start, and most of the other horses had a lot more experience than he had. He's a work in progress and I think there is a nice bit more to come from this horse.
"I purposely ran him over seven today just to see would he have the pace for a Guineas, and you saw there that he does and is entitled to run in the Irish Guineas and represent us well.
"He could well be a mile and a quarter horse in time.
"I'm very impressed with the new stand and facilities at the Curragh, and it's a big addition to Irish racing."
Betfair go 16/1 about Shelir for the Irish 2,000 Guineas, while BoyleSports go 14s.
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Antilles (USA), trained by A.P.O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
L.F. Roche, rider of I Am Superman trained by M.D. O'Callaghan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount pulled his near fore shoe.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
