Chaucer gets home in tactical opener

Well-supported Ballydoyle newcomer Geoffrey Chaucer made a winning debut in the opening mile maiden at Leopardstown but had to work to get the job done.

Joseph O'Brien was a somewhat reluctant leader on the son of Montjeu as there was no pace on in the early stages.

The 2/7 shot (4/6 this morning) quickened up the tempo at the half-way stage and the race began in earnest in the straight.

Tarfasha kept on to press the eventual winner inside the final furlong and got within a neck at the line while the other runner, Stirabout also stayed on well in the closing stages to be the same margin back in third.

The winner is set to be put away until the Autumn now.

“Obviously he was green. You have to be happy with that,” said Aidan O'Brien afterwards.

“Someone had to trot along as it looked like they were going to walk. He really only had to go about four-and-a-half furlongs today.

“He's a nice horse and we'll take our time with him. The plan was to come here then give him a rest and come back in the Autumn. He's a fine big fella.

“In an ideal world I would have preferred not to run him this early but he came (to hand) and wanted to run.”

The winner is a half-brother to champion miler Shamardal and his dam is an own-sister to Street Cry.