Dibayani delivers as expected

The opening race at the Curragh on Oaks day, the Darley EBF 2yo Maiden over seven furlongs, went to Dibayani for Mick Halford and Johnny Murtagh.

The son of Shamardal was sent off the 8/13 favourite after just going down by a head on his debut over the course and distance last month behind The United States.

He tracked the leaders in the early stages today and was third at the halfway point. He was ridden to challenge a furlong and a half from home and soon led after coming between horses.

He kept on well under pressure from there to score by half a length at the line.

The John McConnell trained newcomer Orgilgo Bay ran a cracker on his debut to finish second under Shane Foley at 33/1 while there was a four and a half-length gap back to the third who was Hall Of Mirrors for Aidan O’Brien and Seamie Heffernan at 12/1.

Winning trainer Mick Halford said afterwards: "In the testing conditions it was a good performance. He settled well and went through the gap well.

"It was a nice step up from his first run. He’ll go for a Stakes race now and he should keep improving and he will appreciate better ground."

The winner is a half-brother to the Gordon Elliott trained ten time winner Dirar.

Stan James go 33/1 about the winner for next year's 2000 Guineas.

(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)