Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle team appear in good health in the early part of the season and his Claudio Monteverdi readily justified 4/5 favouritism in the opening Racecourse Of The Year Maiden at Leopardstown today.

Ridden by Donnacha O'Brien, the son of Galileo made all and in the end scored a four and three parts of a length win over Freeman

Afterwards trainer O'Brien stated “he got an easy lead, and quickened well off the bend. We'll step him up now in class, and he'll stay further than a mile."

Claudio Monteverdi, named after a 17th century Italian composer, has an entry in the Dante Stakes at York next month.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee