Koolasice skates in for Murtagh and Halpin

Koolasice (13/8 fav) outclassed his seven rivals to take the 6f 3-y-o Colts’and Geldings’ Maiden for Johnny Murtagh and Gary Halpin.

Sitting second in the early stages behind Elzaamone the grey by Kodiac was sent on outside the furlong pole and cleared away to score by seven and a half lengths from Ecclesiastical (11/2), with Elzaamone (10/1) another three and a half lengths adrift at the line. Morning favourite Papa Bear never looked happy and finished a well-beaten fifth.

Third in his first two starts last season in maidens at Cork and Naas before being beaten at odds-on on heavy ground at the Curragh, this was a good start to the season for the half-brother to four winners including three-time Group winner Kool Kompany. He made £160,000 at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale in April 2019.

It was a second winner of the season for absent trainer Johnny Murtagh.

Winning rider Gary Halpin said: “I sat on him a couple of times in Johnny's. He's been working well and Johnny's horses are flying. It's good to get one on the board.”

“He travelled away well and I couldn't fault him. He did what I wanted him to do.

“We'll take baby steps at the minute, he won a weak enough maiden. He had okay form last year and I'm sure Johnny will place him where he thinks he'll win."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson