Tyrur Enda lays down an early Laurels marker

The two sessions of the opening round of the Laurels were completed at Curraheen Park over the weekend and ante-post favourite Tyrur Enda emerged with his reputation enhanced while his kennel-companion and Derby runner-up Tyrur Big Mike’s suitability to the circuit remains somewhat in question despite a winning start to his campaign.

Enda had to settle for second place in the early stages of his heat but he really impressed with the manner in which he attacked the third and fourth bends to build a race-winning advantage. Powering on with real gusto, he crossed the line a length and a half clear of Colorful Champ in 28.33.

Big Mike also raced a close second to the opening bend in his heat but he lost considerable ground on the turn. Having shown huge pace down the back, he tangled with leader Leeview Jet and that allowed Barnbrook Again assume control. Bumping into the new leader as he raced off the home turn, Big Mike’s class shone through as he battled bravely to earn a neck victory in the slowest of the night, 28.95.