Trainer Aidan and jockey son Donnacha O'Brien combined to win the opening two races at Gowran today as Circus Maximus doubled the pair's tally when landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C&G) Maiden the hard way.

By Galileo, Circus Maximus is the first foal out of David Wachman's dual Royal Ascot winner Duntle and today started the heavily backed 8/13 favourite (from 4/5).

However ever before he was returned that price, Circus Maximus had broken through the starting stalls and once reinstated, then missed the break in the actual race.

Jockey O'Brien soon moved Circus Maximus to dispute the lead and while he appeared to have the race won with a furlong to race, he then veered badly left to the stands' side rail inside the final furlong, before eventually scoring a two lengths win over Army Recruit

Donnacha O’Brien later said “around here, the way the track is shaped, it can be daunting for them when they hit the front, because it’s always bending.

“He has ability and once he gets it together mentally he’ll be a nice horse. Once he got to the other (stands' side) rail and got a bit of guidance, he was fine.”

Winning trainer Aidan O’Brien wasn't present for his filly Pink Dogwood s win in the opener but was on hand for Circus Maximus, and said “he was very green and was the same when Ryan (Moore) rode him the first day at the Curragh. Some of them take two or three runs and some of them get it together quick.

“He’ll be a nice middle-distance horse. I’d like to run him again this season if I can because he needs to learn a bit more before next year.”

Quotes from Alan Magee