Merchants Quay made no mistake at the second time of asking, winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden at the Curragh.

Upped from five to six furlongs, and back at HQ for start two, Ballydoyle’s Merchants Quay, one of the 6/4 joint favourites, beat his stable companion Irish Chief by a length and a quarter.

Merchants Quay chased the leader and he was fourth at the halfway stage.

He made progress a furlong and a half out and the chestnut was soon switched right.

The son of No Nay Never then made headway to lead in the final hundred and fifty yards, keeping on well to seal the issue.

“He's a lovely big colt. We went a good even gallop the whole way and he felt like he wanted every yard of that six,” said winning rider Wayne Lordan.

“He'll be better stepping up in trip. He's quite a big horse and felt like he could be still improving.

“He always showed plenty. He ran well over five, he won over six today and I think he could be better stepping up another furlong.

“He's probably a horse that will keep improving.”

(GC & EM)