Back last February John Murphy said: "We've got a very exciting bunch of two-year-olds and I'm really looking forward to it. It looks like the nicest bunch we've had so far for the flat. I can't wait for that."

Well it may have taken a time for the County Cork handler to saddle a winner this year in the juvenile ranks but it arrived when High Octane landed the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Median Auction Maiden at Gowran.

It was expected too, as High Octane was lively in the market earlier in the day and he eventually returned a 10/1 shot having been supported from a first offer of 33/1.

A mere 800 guineas yearling at Tattersalls last October (bought by Emerald Bloodstock), the victorious son of Motivator may have held his head high but that did little to hinder his progress as he quickened up smartly under Seamie Heffernan to beat Military Device (very unusually for a race of this type he was one of the 5/1 joint favourites) by a length and three parts.

Murphy trains High Octane for John Nordlokken and he said: "He's been ready to run for quite a while but we've been waiting on the ground.

"We think he's quite special and on faster ground he'll be better.

"He was quite green when he got there and he'll come on for that.

"He's in the Racing Post Trophy – we think that much of him." Murphy's Delight (9th) was reported to have missed the break, ran green and unable to get a clear run in the straight. (AM & EM)