John F Kennedy impresses in Curragh opener

John F Kennedy for Aidan and Joseph O’Brien, made amends for his defeat on debut as he powered to an impressive victory in the opener at the Curragh this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

The regally-bred son of Galileo, who is a full-brother to Tapestry, was talked about as being a potential top class prospect before he made his debut at Leopardstown last month.

He could only manage second on that occasion behind Hall Of Fame and he was sent off the easy to back 11/8 favourite this afternoon having opened at 6/5 on-course.

Having tracked the leaders on the outer he travelled smoothly two furlongs out and was ridden to lead a furlong and a half from home.

He stretched clear inside the final furlong going on to score easily by four and three parts of a length. Pincode finished second at 12/1 (opened at 16’s on-course) under Declan McDonogh for Patrick Prendergast while Dunquin was a further length and three parts back in third under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger at 11/4.

Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "He's still very babyish. Mentally he's still a bit immature, although physically he's mature.

"The penny never dropped the first day at Leopardstown. He's a very smart colt, and we'll probably take our time with him."

The winner remains a 16/1 chance with Boylesports for the 2015 Epsom Derby while he has been backed into 12/1 joint-favouritism with Paddy Powers from 16's.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee