A delightful double for O'Brien and Heffernan

Aidan O'Brien and Seamie Heffernan doubled up on Leopardstown's card through Delightful in the nursery.

This regally-bred daughter of Galileo who is a sister of top-class Minding, Empress Josephine and Tuesday among others progressed from a fourth in the Curragh, a third at Gowran Park and a runner-up berth at Thurles to get off the mark today on handicap debut.

Heffernan sent her on from the gates and she made all over this seven-furlong trip. She had a reduced advantage inside the final furlong but saw it out best by three parts of a length to justify 2/1 favouritism. Aurifodina (5/1) cut into the lead but had to settle for second.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “She had three lovely runs in maidens and 86 was probably a fair enough mark for her.

“Seamus gave her a lovely ride from the front, she controlled everything and quickened. When they came to her, she fought well.

“That's probably her done for the year now as there is not really much left.

“She's a lovely filly for next year and will probably come back for one of the Guineas trials.”

Delightful has an Irish 1,000 Guineas entry.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson