Earth dances in for O'Brien and Ryan in finale

Earth Dance stepped up on a promising Curragh debut last month to justify odds-on favouritism in the concluding Lynn Lodge Stud Maiden at Navan.

The once-raced Donnacha O'Brien trained colt was always to the fore under jockey Gavin Ryan, tracking Tommy Thug into the straight before challenging over a furlong out.

Although the son of Australia took a few strides to settle proceedings, once he hit the rising ground he went right away to win comfortably.

Gavin Ryan said: "He's by Australia and just took a little bit of time to come to hand.

"We always thought he was a nice horse and he proved that to us in a hot maiden in the Curragh. There were no hiding places that day, so we knew we had a decent horse coming here today.

"Obviously, I was able to keep it very, very simple and followed the one I thought was there to beat - gave me a lovely lead down into the dip and once I have committed my horse, he won with plenty in hand.

"Very much so (ground versatile), obviously being by Australia a son of Galileo they will go on anything and he'll stay real well. He'll get further too."

When asked if he could be stakes class, he replied: "Without a doubt, he's going the right way about it."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.