Hellsing made a winning debut at the Curragh today, landing the Tally Ho Stud Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden for trainer Ger Lyons, jockey Colin Keane and owners Teme Valley.

Hellsing (11/2), named after a Japanese manga or comic series, disputed the lead with Congo River (13/8f) for much of the six furlongs race and edged ahead close home to beat that rival by half a length.

Trainer Lyons later said “he's a typical Dandy Man who we've had success with in the past first time out. We've always liked him but he has to back it up before I get high about him.

“I wanted to start him over six - he was to start a few weeks ago but had a dirty nose and that's why we waited. If he hadn't run today he was going to go straight into a seven-furlong race. He was shouting and roaring before the race and for one of mine he was very green. He did it well, on pure raw ability.”

He added “we'll see how he comes out of it but ultimately he was bought for the Goffs Million and we'll work back from there. He's a gorgeous horse, his brother (Navagio) won last night and he's a gorgeous looking horse as well so obviously the mare knows how to throw them. We're happy to have him.”

The Goffs Million is Europe's richest two year old race and will be run at today's venue on the eve of the 2022 Orby Sale, with a guaranteed minimum value of €1,000,000.

Quotes from Gary Carson