Well-supported Auckland gets off the mark

The Aidan O'Brien trained Auckland got off the mark on his fifth start as he took the Cliff At Lyons Maiden.

A disappointing sixth on his handicap debut at Killarney, the son of Galileo was encountering quick ground for the first time today.

Available at 9/4 last night, he was well-supported, opening on-course at 11/8 before going off the clear 5/4 favourite under Ryan Moore.

Prominent in the early stages he was soon settled in fourth. He was pushed along to close with over two furlongs to race, getting to the front with over a furlong to go, keeping on under pressure to score by half a length.

Newcomer Sin Sin (14/1) finished out her race well to take second under Daniel Redmond for Jim Bolger, while Makamamia (9s to 7s) was another length and a half back in third with Conor Hoban in the saddle for Andy Oliver.

Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "He was very slow to learn and we were trying to get him to relax and do things right. The last day at Killarney was really the first time he relaxed and raced properly. Hopefully he's on an upward curve now.

"Nice ground suits him well, and Ryan felt the mile suited him. I think he might get a mile and a quarter in time, and he'll probably go back for a handicap next."

The winner is a half-brother to Meow, who is of course the dam of Churchill.

STEWARDS REPORT

D.P. McDonogh, rider of Nigg Bay trained by John M. Oxx, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount reared in the stalls and missed the break.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee