Ballydoyle get off to perfect start

Ballydoyle struck with their first runner of the season when Sing Softly claimed the Big Bad Bob Maiden at the Curragh.

Seamus Heffernan always had the daughter of Hennessy prominent on the stand's rail.

The 8/1 shot stuck on best in the closing stages as the runners spread out the width of the track, getting home by two-lengths from Rose Bonheur

The winner, whose only previous run had been a seventh-placed effort at Dundalk last October, looks to have come on considerably over the winter.

"She had a nice run last year and was due to run again at Dundalk towards the end of the season but didn't make it," said Aidan O'Brien.

"She's a grand filly and will stay a bit further. We'll step her up now."

O'Brien also stated afterwards that the yard are set to use "the best available" jockey-wise this season.

He confirmed that Jamie Spencer would be aboard Cape Blanco in Dubai and his three runners at the meeting are set to leave tomorrow.