Reply showed the benefit of a run when sluicing up in the opening Big Bad Bob European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden under Seamie Heffernan at the Curragh.

The Ballydoyle contender (4s - 100/30) took over from the pace-setting JJs Pride and he soon had the contest in the bag as favourite Fastidious (9/2 this morning into 7/4) didn't perform as expected.

Aidan O'Brien said: "I'm delighted with him. He had a lovely first run and came on for it.

"He is a horse that is not short of speed and he can go over five or six furlongs. He is a Royal Ascot type and he'll have an entry in the Norfolk and the Coventry Stakes.

"He travelled strongly from start to finish there."

Boylesports make Reply 12/1 for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.