Odds-on in the morning, El Salvador went off at 5/4 for the [email protected] Maiden in the face of supporter for the likes of Absolutlyfantastic (10s earlier on into half that price). There was no disputing which horse was superior from over a furlong out though as El Salvador (Joseph O'Brien got a 3 day whip ban in the previous race) raced to a four and a half length success.

Andrew Lynch came there fancying his chances at the quarter mile pole on Absolutlyfantastic. He wasn't bridging the gap to the front-running El Salvador a furlong and a half out though, and the flashy chestnut stayed on strongly to get the job done in convincing fashion.

A first winner of the year for Ballydoyle, the win of El Salvador was a measure of compensation for Aidan and Joseph O'Brien, and Annmarie, after the injury sustained by their favourite in the opener, Ahimsa (AM & EM)