Sissoko on the scoresheet

Very few horses got competitive in the Friarstown Stud Irish EBF Maiden as the 3/1 favourite Sun King set a strong pace from the outset.

The market leader was unable to get Sissoko (5/1) out of his comfort zone, though, and Gavin Ryan’s mount breezed past the pace-setter over a furlong out before going away to beat him by six lengths.

The son of Australia, sixth on debut here last month, is related to a host of winners notably Dunboyne Express who did well for Kevin Prendergast before going on to be highly successful in Hong Kong having been renamed Dan Excel.

Winning trainer Donnacha O’Brien said: “We always thought a lot of him. He was actually one of my best early ones but he just pulled a muscle and I had to leave him off until a few weeks ago.

“He ran well first time, he was very green, and he was impressive today. Hopefully he's as good as we think he is.

“There is the Eyrefield next week and he's still in the Vertem Futurity Trophy but I wouldn't be surprised if that was him finished and we bring him back for a Derby trial early next year.

“You'd be hoping he's a Derby type of horse with Australia putting in good stamina but whether he's up to that or not we'll see.”

Quotes from Gary Carson