Treble for O'Brien as Darwin takes the Minstrel

Darwin made it two from two since arriving in Ireland, as he took the Group 3 Invesco Pension Consultants Minstrel Stakes, making it a treble on the card for trainer Aidan O’Brien and a double for Joseph.

The American import, won a conditions race on his Irish debut at Naas last month and he was sent off the 8/11 favourite (opened on-course at 4/5) to follow up this afternoon.

The three-year-old son of Big Brown raced in second for much of the race and he was niggled along from over two furlongs out.

He hit the front a furlong and a half from home, keeping on well from there to score by a length and three parts. Gordon Lord Byron had to give twelve pounds to the winner, but he still managed to run a creditable race, finishing second under Wayne Lordan for Tom Hogan at 6/4.

Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "He is not short of pace but he gets a mile well.

"He came to us with a massive reputation. He has got great cruising speed and he was doing good times in America.

"When he won his maiden in America, Todd Pletcher (his former trainer) was jumping around the place and it was obvious to see why he was. We were very lucky to get him.

"He only won a conditions race a few weeks ago and he is still a big baby. He has got options and he could go to Deauville now.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee