Successor appreciates step up in trip

Successor got off the mark on his fifth career start, as he took the opener at Killarney, the Rentokil Initial Maiden.

Seventh, fifth and fifth on his first three starts, the Aidan O'Brien trained son of Galileo was a staying on third on his most recent outing at Navan.

That run came over a mile and five, and the step up in trip to a mile and six today clearly suited.

Backed from 5's to 3's on-course, he was settled in rear by Seamie Heffernan. He made progress through the field from three furlongs out, and was switched to the inner over two furlongs from home.

He was pushed along from there and got to the front inside the final furlong, going on to score by a length. Sea Of Mystery who was sent off the 2/1 favourite (was as big as 13/2 last night), finished second under Declan McDonogh for John Oxx.

Aidan O'Brien also saddled the third home, and that was Three Star General who was a further two and three parts of a length back under his daughter Ana at the odds of 6/1.

Seamie Heffernan said afterwards: "He is a fine big horse. He was a little bit disappointing but there is a chance he was a little weak.

"I was always sure I was on the best one and hopefully he starts improving and he stays well. That's his first time at a mile and six so staying might be his thing."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes