Found returns to winning ways at the Curragh

Found overcame a moderately troubled passage to return to winning ways in the Camelot European Breeders Fund Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly won the Breeders’ Cup Turf at the end of last year but she was sent off only the 11-8 second-favourite for this event as she clashed again with Fascinating Rock, who had beaten her in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Ryan Moore was happy to take a pull through the early stages of this 10-furlong event as The Steward and Success Days set the early pace, with the latter still in the lead as the field turned into the straight.

Fascinating Rock then made his move with around two furlongs to run, but Moore had matters in hand, sitting in behind as Success Days really began to battle upfront.

Moore briefly looked in trouble with nowhere to go and only a furlong to run, but a split appeared between the front two and Found slipped through the gap, pulling clear with ease as she came forward markedly from her third in the Alleged Stakes on her seasonal reappearance.

She passed the post a length and a quarter in front of Success Days, with 11-10 favourite Fascinating Rock only third.

Smart horse

Meanwhile, Awtaad confirmed himself a smart horse in the making as he got the better of Blue De Vega to run out a comfortable winner of the Power European Breeders Fund Tetrarch Stakes.

Blue De Vega was in contention for Saturday’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket until the 11th hour, so punters understandably sent him off a 6-4 favourite to make a winning return in this Listed event.

Colin Keane’s mount travelled well enough but when Blue De Vega tried to mount a challenge, the well-regarded Awtaad had too much in reserve and surged forward again.

Chris Hayes just had to push out the Kevin Prendergast-trained winner to prevail by two lengths at odds of 13-8 as he followed up a taking handicap success, while maiden winner Embiran ran well enough before fading slightly in the finish.

Hayes said: “It was a great call by the boss to run him as we were going to work him after racing.

“That should take any silliness off him for the big day (Irish 2,000 Guineas) in three weeks and provided the ground dries up, he has a nice chance in my opinion.”

Prendergast said: “He’s a smart horse. He trained on well and came on a good bit from the handicap.

“That should put him right for three weeks’ time. I thought if he’s not good enough to win the Tetrarch, he had no business running in the Guineas.

“So far so good, but he has to step up again now. I’d say he wants good ground but not brick hard as he’s a big, heavy horse. That was a bit steady for him today.

“He’s always been a nice horse but he was immature. He had a couple of issues when he was young, but he’s got over that now.

“He’s a very genuine horse. I think the extra furlong will suit him and after that (Irish Guineas) we may stretch him a bit.”

Betfair go 8-1 from 14s about Awtaad for the Tattersalls-sponsored Irish Guineas on May 21, with Blue De Vega 16s from 12-1.

Perfectly-timed challenge

Dolce Strega was delivered with a perfectly-timed challenge by Billy Lee to land the Group Three Canford Cliffs European Breeders Fund Athasi Stakes.

Willie McCreery’s charge had won at Dundalk last month and followed up in fine style to deny Steip Amach and Ainippe.

Kevin Manning appeared to have made a decisive move aboard Steip Amach when she just edged in front of top-weight Ainippe, but Dolce Strega was just finding top gear down the middle of the track.

Dolce Strega kept finding for pressure and eventually came home a neck in front of Steip Amach at odds of 9-2.