Midnight Strike asserted in good style inside the final furlong to make a winning debut for Joseph O'Brien in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at the Curragh this afternoon.

The Starspangledbanner colt went to post an easy-to-back 15/2 shot in the five-furlong contest but travelled strongly throughout behind the leaders.

He moved up to fight it out with 5/4 favourite Treasure Isle over a furlong from home and went on when asked for an effort, by Dylan Browne McMonagle, in the closing stages to record a convincing two-length success.

The winner was a 50,000gns purchase as a yearling and is out of a half-sister to Listed winner Fox Power.

O’Brien said afterwards:- “I thought he was a nice colt but didn’t expect him to win like that.

“He looks an Ascot type horse and he’s another nice Starspangledbanner for the owners (Teme Valley).

“We thought he’d stay six but was certainly quick enough to start at five. He looks very smart.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)