Sportsmanship and Donnacha O'Brien lead home stable mate Courage Under Fire and Seamie Heffernan© Photo Healy Racing
Sportsmanship justified favouritism in the opener at Leopardstown, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, scoring under Donnacha O'Brien for his father Aidan.
Sixth on his debut at the Curragh last month, the son of War Front finished second to Firey Speech on his next start at Naas.
Available at 6/4 last night, he opened on-course at just 5/6, touching 4/5 before going off the even money favourite.
Having tracked the leader in a close second, the winner hit the front at the two furlong pole and went clear with over a furlong to race.
He was ridden and kept on well inside the final furlong, although his advantage was reduced by stable mate Courage Under Fire
Three parts of a length separated them at the line, with the runner-up returned at 4/1 under Seamie Heffernan. Sebastian Bach completed the placings a further length and a half back in third under Pat Smullen for Michael O'Callaghan at 7/1.
Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "He has a lot of speed and won't mind staying at five or six.
"He could be a horse for Goodwood. He's pacey and will be better in a really strong run race.
"The second wouldn't mind going up to seven. Colm rode him first time and said the same thing."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
