Ides Of March and Ryan Moore © Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore made it three from three on the afternoon, as Ides Of March easily landed the Group 3 Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh.
An impressive winner of his maiden over course and distance last time, the 2/5f proved well up to the task on his first venture into black type grade.
Soon in front, the Wootton Bassett colt travelled strongly under Ryan Moore before producing a smart turn of foot over a furlong out that put paid to his rivals.
Stretching clear inside the final furlong, Ides Of March had three-and-a-quarter-lengths in hand at the finish.
“He was professional and grew up a lot from the last day,” said O'Brien.
“I'm delighted and we'll look at the Middle Park with him now. He's a powerful, fast horse and he finds it easy to go quick. He's big and he's strong.
“He was going very easy through the race before Ryan started to let him go.
“I think he's versatile (ground-wise). Wootton Bassetts handle soft ground as well and he handles fast ground very easy, he's a very good mover.
“The mare was a very good mare in America (Grade 1 winner).”
Paddy Power went 16/1(from 25) Ides Of March for the 2000 Guineas and 7/1(from 14) Middle Park Stakes.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
