Champion trainer Aidan O'Brien got the new flat campaign off to a winning start before a record Curragh opening day crowd of nearly 6,000 when newcomer Tomahawk stormed home in the opening Betdaq Maiden today. The American bred son of Seattle Slew quickened up in good style at the furlong pole to come home with three lengths to spare over market rival Cat Belling. O'Brien and Mick Kinane combined again later when Maderno, a full-brother to Fasliyev, made a winning bow in the six furlong maiden.
The Master of Ballydoyle saddled odds-on Century City for the Listed Loughbrown Stakes over seven furlongs but it was John Oxx's Barring Order that prevailed by a head in the hands of the in-form Johnny Murtagh, fresh from his two winners at Doncaster. Oxx later went on to complete a treble helped when Egyptian captured the seven furlong handicap with better fancied stable companion Zardak finishing towards the rear.
It was more of the same in the seven furlong maiden, the Curragh trainer saddling four runners including Lady Clague's warm favourite Calorando, the mount of stable jockey John Murtagh. However, it was 14/1 stable companion Chartres, also owned by Lady Clague, that landed the spoils for Catherine Gannon much to the joy of the layers.
Serov just held the late surge of Mahsusie by the minimum margin in the Betdaq.Com Handicap over the minimum trip. Supporters of the runner-up will feel hard done by as Frank Ennis' charge got off to a slow start and then didn't enjoy the clearest of runs. A Steward's inquiry was called after Galloway Boy was hampered when Kinane's mount veered towards the stands rail and following the investigation the former champion was lucky to escape with a caution.
The Jackpot pool swelled to a whopping €104,280 and following several upsets in the first three legs just four horses were covered with a single unit in the Betdaq Irish Lincoln. For one Jackpot investor the race proved a memorable one as Atlantic Rhapsody edged to the front under Mick Kinane inside the final furlong to land the spoils for Kill trainer Ted Walsh and a dividend of €78,210.60 for the lucky punter. Kinane last tasted victory in the Irish Lincoln back in 1982 with Uncle Dick, trained by his former boss Liam Browne. John Oxx rounded off a tremendous opening day at headquarters when newcomer Tarifana carried the colours of HH Aga Khan to victory in the concluding Betdaq EBF Fillies Maiden, a second winner of the session for Fran Berry.
Filed by Shane Murray
