Last year's Irish Derby fourth Nysaean made a successful return to Irish soil when running out a convincing all the way winner of the featured Group 3 Golan Mooresbridge Stakes. The 8/13 shot wasn't in the slightest bit extended to account for Mkuzi by three and a half lengths.
Trainer Richard Hannon was an absentee but a representative of winning owners Jeffen Racing suggested that the 4-y-o might return to the Curragh for the Tattersalls Gold Cup provided the ground isn't too firm.
Favourite backers were also on the mark when the 6/4 shot Walayef took the Group 3 Athasi Stakes. Declan McDonagh's mount was a decisive two length winner over Vintage Tipple and trainer Kevin Prendergast commented that the win should leave her spot on for the Irish Guineas in three weeks time.
Steel Light showed the benefit of a previous run when showing speed throughout to take the opening Mull Of Kintyre Maiden in good style. Trainer Dermot Weld views his charge as nice type that should progress during the year and mentioned the Marble Hill Stakes at the same course as a likely objective.
Aidan O'Brien who supplied the beaten favourite in the opener was quickly back on track in the following Group 3 Tetrarch Stakes. The race this year commemorated former stable star Rock Of Gibraltar and France, the mount of Seamus Heffernan ran out a game winner.
English raider Al Turf who made the running rallied well in the closing stages but the winner sporting the pink silks of Sue Magnier was always going to hold on. Appropriately enough the French Guineas may feature on the 3-y-o's itinerary.
A downside to the afternoon for O'Brien was the 1,000 euro fine imposed on him by the stewards after not being satisfied with his excuse for the non-appearance of Black Sam Bellamy in the Mooresbridge Stakes. The 4-y-o finished last in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp.
