Intelligence justifies strong market support Intelligence Cross justified strong market support to take the opener at the Curragh, the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise EBF Maiden. Available at 9/4 last night, that price was quickly snapped up, and he opened on course at even money, before going off the 10/11 favourite. Just beaten into second on his debut over the course and distance earlier this month, the son of War Front was settled in second by Ryan Moore. He was pushed along to lead a furlong out, and he kept on well when ridden inside the final furlong, going on to score by a length and a half. Khukri (25/1) ran a fine race on his debut to finish second under Colm O'Donoghue for Jessica Harrington, while fellow debutant Pious Alexander (12/1) was a further half a length back in third under Pat Smullen for Eddie Lynam. Aidan O'Brien trains the successful bay, and he said afterwards: "He's a nice horse and improved nicely. He had a lovely run under Ana the first day. "He loves fast ground and Ryan said the ground didn't feel that bad on him. He was very happy with him. "I was worried about the ground for this horse but Ryan was surprised by how nice it was. "We'll maybe look at the July Stakes at Newmarket with him. "He's very fast and I'd imagine we'll stay at six furlongs for a good while with him - as long as we can. "He's a big strong horse and made like a sprinter." The winner holds entries in the Phoenix Stakes and the National Stakes at the Curragh, along with the Weatherbys Hamilton Stakes at Doncaster. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
