Heavy ground played to the strengths of Royal Blend winner of Limerick's Welcome Back To Limerick Racecourse Maiden today as the Zoffany-sired filly scored for trainer Joseph O'Brien and jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Even-money morning favourite Artician was easy to back, and was returned 2/1, as race-fit Royal Blend was heavily backed from 9/4 this morning to eventually become 1/1 favourite at the off.

Front-running Artician was two lengths clear of Royal Blend with a furlong to race but folded, eventually finishing fourth, in a stamina-sapping final furlong, as Royal Blend scored by 2.75L from The Pocket Flyer

Afterwards Joseph O'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell reported “she absolutely loves the ground — the boys say it is absolutely bottomless but she loves it.

“He (Browne McMonagle) was going to make the running but said they went hard and Artician stopped. Today is the first time I've seen her pick up from off the bridle and she found a lot.

“I think that trip and ground is ideal for her and we wouldn't mind finding a little black-type race for her on that ground soon.”