Chaos rules at the Curragh
At 9-1 the outsider of the five runners, the Eddie Lynam-trained colt was short of room just inside the two pole but Chris Hayes did not panic and his mount burst through just over a furlong out.
Long-time leader Great War Eagle, representing Aidan O’Brien and Johnny Murtagh, tried to fight back but Capt Chaos comfortably held him to score by a length and three-quarters.
The well-backed Hanoverian Baron dropped away tamely, while the previously unbeaten Bruges never threatened to strike a blow and was last.
Lynam said: “If you paid attention to the ratings you wouldn’t have bothered to run, but the horse was in good form and handles the ground (yielding/soft) so we decided to take our chance.
“I don’t think the first two from the English Guineas will be quaking in their boots, so we’ll probably go for the Ballycorus Stakes next (at Leopardstown on June 11). I’m from Dublin, I’m a realist.
“The horse is joint-owned by myself and David O’Reilly. He’s a great supporter of the yard. He came in and bought a half-share at the end of last season, so it is great to win a race like this with him.”
The Oratorio EBF Athasi Stakes saw an even bigger shock as 33-1 chance Prima Luce struck for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.
Up with the pace all the way, the daughter of Galileo just had enough left in the tank to repel fellow 33-1 shot Emily Blake by three-quarters of a length. Mick Channon’s Silver Touch was sent off the 11-4 favourite but could manage only eighth.
Bolger said: “I have a recollection of her working really well with Lush Lashes and I thought she had a chance. She is a late-maturing filly and could be one for next year.
“We are not in the business of broodmares and want to have a bit of fun.”
Bolger had been out of luck at Newmarket at the weekend when New Approach lost his unbeaten record in going down by a nose to Henrythenavigator in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
The County Carlow trainer also saddled Saoirse Abu and Lush Lashes to finish third and sixth respectively in the fillies’ equivalent.
He went on: “New Approach is very well. He doesn’t know he didn’t come out on top and he is on course for the Irish 2000 Guineas.
“Saoirse Abu is heading for the Irish 1000 Guineas, while Lush Lashes will go for the Irish Oaks, that’s the plan at the moment.”
O’Brien’s Mastercraftsman (5-1) defied negative market vibes to make a winning start to his career in the Antonius Pius European Breeders Fund Maiden.
Murtagh found a nice gap and the Danehill Dancer colt picked up nicely under just hands and heels to score by half a length from Duc De Savoie.
Cashmans gave the winner a 10-1 quote for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
British raider Regime (5-1) landed the spoils in a pulsating finish to the High Chaparral EBF Mooresbridge Stakes.
Always held in high regard, the Michael Bell-trained colt had finished second at this course in the Goffs Million as a two-year-old.
Pat Smullen’s mount overhauled Alarazi in the final furlong and eventually held that rival by a head, although Mores Wells and Hasanka were just another neck and short-head away in third and fourth.
Regime was landing a deserved first success since Sandown’s Group Three Classic trial 13 months ago.
“That was great to see. He was so deserving of another big-race victory,” said Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.
“He was unlucky in France last year and he’s has had a tough old time of it.
“The key thing is decent ground, a mile and a quarter and ridden close enough to the pace, not being asked to come from too far back.
