Ephesus and Ryan Moore © Photo Healy Racing
The Aidan O'Brien trained Ephesus made all under a strong drive from Ryan Moore to shed his maiden tag at the fourth attempt when staying on in determined fashion to win the Fleetwood Paints Irish EBF Maiden at the Curragh.
Placed on his first two starts, the Galileo colt was somewhat disappointing when a beaten favourite on his most recent outing at Leopardstown last month.
Fitted with first-time cheekpieces here, Moore had the O'Brien trained colt at the head of affairs from the outset. Pressing on early in the straight, the 13/8f looked in trouble as Rosso closed up entering the final furlong.
However, with Moore strong in the saddle, the eventual winner stuck to his task in admirable fashion to run out a one-and-a-half-length winner.
“I'm delighted with him. He's a horse that stays very well and he'll stay further than a mile-and-a-half, he's genuine,” said O'Brien.
“We'll look for a staying handicap, he'll have no problem going a mile-and-six.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
