Daamberdiplomat impresses Murtagh in Curragh

Daamberdiplomat showed some promise when seventh on debut over further at the Curragh last month and stepped up on that effort to land the opening six furlong juvenile maiden at Headquarters.

The 10/1 shot was drawn in stall one and Ben Coen was happy take a lead as the pair sat towards the rear of the 19-runner field.

The Cotai Glory colt made stealthy headway to chase the leaders a furlong and a half down and stormed into contention in fourth at the furlong pole.

Coen rode his mount into a narrow lead with 100 yards to go and he had a willing partner who ran on well to score by half a length. Newcomer Bird Of Play ran an eye-catching race from rear to finish second at 18/1. The always prominent Sioux Spirit (17/2 - 5/1) was a head away in third.

Trainer Johnny Murtagh said: "That was pretty impressive. I did think that he had come on at home.

“I thought he was a little bit keen the first day and Ben said he didn't get home. Today dropping him back to six he settled really well and he said he picked them up in a couple of strides.

“It was visually very impressive, there were a lot of fancied horses in that race today.

“I don't know what to do with him next to tell you the truth. He's still a bit immature and he should improve so I don't think I'll rush him.

“I might give him four or five weeks and we might look at the Killavullan towards the end of the year, maybe stepping him back up to seven because I always thought he was a seven-furlong horse.”

Daamberdiplomat is a half brother to Group 2 winner Dragon Pulse.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson