Zephron rewards step up in trip

Zephron got off the mark at the fifth time of asking in the extended seven furlong maiden at Tipperary with a convincing display. Broken Silence stalked Pirate Lass before taking over entering the straight, as Zephron was poised to strike in third, in his first crack at this trip.

Zephron then moved up to strongly challenge and pass Broken Silence racing to the final furlong.

He was ridden by Ross Coakley and asserted in the final 100 yards to score by two and a quarter lengths at 3/1.

Broken Silence held on to second at 66/1, a neck in front of Puddle Of Luck (9/1).

Trainer Denis Cullen said: "I'm delighted with the way he did that, and I always thought when he stepped up in trip you'd see a better horse.

"There weren't many races for him until now and he is very progressive and keeps improving.

"We'll look at a handicap or winners' of one and it might be ambitious but I might look at a Listed race as well; we have his half-sister by Havana Gold at home.

"I'd say he could stay a mile or 1m2f."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes