Bernard Shaw readily opens account at second attempt

Fourth on his racecourse debut at the Curragh in June, Bernard Shaw struck at the second time of asking when easily landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Dundalk.

Sent off 1/2f to shed his maiden tag, the Aidan O'Brien trained colt did so with the minimum of fuss under jockey Wayne Lordan.

Tracking leader Queens Fury for the first three-quarters-of-a-mile, the Into Mischief colt was pushed along to challenge early in the straight.

Although it took a while for the penny to drop, when it eventually did over a furlong from home, the Ballydoyle colt pulled right away inside the final furlong to win by an ever widening nine lengths.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: "He's a smashing colt and Wayne gave him a lovely ride.

"He had a very good run the first day at the Curragh and it was an eye-catching run in a maiden that is working out well.

"He was still very green throughout the run even once he got him straightened up. Wayne thinks there's lots of improvement in him.

"He is a horse that will be able to go up in trip, handles the quick ground. He will be able to go beyond a mile. He is a horse with plenty of class.

"He is a horse to look forward to for the backend and he will be in the mix for something like the Champion Juvenile at Leopardstown.

"Once the penny dropped with him, he really lengthened away in the finish. He's a nice one to have."

When asked about his Group 2 entries at Doncaster (7f) and Newmarket (1m), he replied: "They closed this week, so obviously we had to get him out here and see.

"I'd say his trip is a mile and next year he will get a bit further."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.