After the taking success of Alice Springs in the opener, we were treated to another impressive display by a filly in race two at the Curragh, as Eshera came forward beautifully from her debut to justify 5/4 favouritism in the DoneDeal Classifieds Website EBF Maiden.

President Michael D Higgins was present to see Declan McDonogh carry his colours on first-timer, Aimhirgin Lass and the Irish National Stud-bred 'people's horse' ran well to finish seven and a half lengths off the Pat Smullen-ridden, Eshera, in second.

The strong favourite, for the Aga Khan and Dermot Weld, Eshera made all from her rail-side draw in one, and she was pushed out to assert from the two furlong pole, soon stretching clear of her opponents with ease.

"She's a very nice filly and has progressed well from her second at Gowran. We'll look for some black type with her next," commented Weld.

"There is a lot of stamina in the family but this filly has a lot of pace. She will probably be best at around a mile or nine furlongs."

Looking ahead to tomorrow's Derby, Weld remarked of his representative, Radanpour, "He's a lovely genuine horse and will run a good race. However we would like to have seen a lot more rain and the ground is drying out all the time. He handles soft ground very well."

K.J. Manning, rider of Vintage Charm trained by J. S. Bolger, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was awkward coming out of stalls.

(AM & EM)