Guerre, right, beats Atlantic Sea, left, and Diamond Stilettos at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
Favourite Guerre kicked off the Leger meeting at the Curragh with a snug victory in the two-year-old maiden.
The American-bred son of War Front, trained by Aidan O’Brien, was popular in the betting ring before this first racecourse appearance as his price contracted to 11/10 on the off from an opening show of 6/4. Diamond Stilettos bounced out smartly and took the field along in this contest over the straight six furlongs. Guerre though came through under Joseph O’Brien with a furlong and a half to run and quickened up nicely to beat the staying on Atlantic Sea (7/1) by three parts of a length.
Daimond Stilettos ran a very creditable race in third after showing up prominently throughout. She was just pipped for second by a head, but rewarded her each way punters at 66/1 and looked to be one for the horse tracker here as this could prove to be a hot maiden.
There was a two and a half length gap back to Zaindera in fourth of the 19 runners.
“He quickened up well, but he then got a bit tired and he was green too. He could turn into a Middle Park horse and could improve quite a bit,” Aidan O’Brien said.
Guerre holds an entry in next year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
