Nephrite looked a name to remember when making a winning debut in the opening six-furlong maiden at the Curragh this afternoon.
The son of Pivotal is a half-brother to top sprinter Cape Of Good Hope and showed that he has plenty ability himself with a taking performance.
Joseph O'Brien 's mount moved smoothly through to lead a furlong from home and settled matters in fine style inside the final furlong for cosy success. Big Blue Spirit could only get within four lengths in second while the gamble of the race Bird's Eye View (20/1 into 11/2f) stayed on late to take third.
"First time in that ground you couldn't be sure but he got through it," said trainer Aidan O'Brien afterwards.
"He was just ready to start and was working nicely at home. He could be a horse for something like the (Group 3) Killavullan (Leopardstown 30th October).
"He got six furlongs well there even though he is a half-brother to a very quick horse.
"He travelled well throughout the race and is a good moving horse."
Gary Carson
