Impressive Washington in winning start

George Washington got the Virginia Waters team off to a winning start at the Curragh today.

The stable companion of the hot favourite for the Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas landed the odds in the Boylesports 1800 221 321 European Breeders Fund Maiden with the minimum fuss.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt, who runs in the colours of Sue Magnier, came through under a patient ride by Kieren Fallon to beat Global Wings by two lengths.

A half-brother to Group One winner Grandera, George Washington (100-30 on), who cost a cool 1,150,000 gns, showed the benefit of his promising debut at Newmarket three weeks ago when third to League Champion.

O'Brien said: "At Newmarket he got a fright when he was bumped by another horse after about a furlong and it took him right across the course. Kieren wanted to educate him today and that’s exactly what he has done.

“He’s in at Royal Ascot and all of those races and we’ll see how he is.”

Totesport went 25-1 from 33s about his chance in next year’s 2000 Guineas, while Cashmans are 14s about that race and even-money him winning the Coventry at the Royal meeting.

Im Spartacus (8-1) held the last-gasp flourish of Scorpion to take a dramatic Gallinule Stakes and give David Flood his biggest training success.

Jamie Spencer’s mount mastered the persistent bid of William Muir’s Mister Genepi in the final 50 yards and then held on from the unlucky Scorpion by a short head.

Fallon had been forced to switch the latter, the 8-11 favourite, off the rails to make his challenge on the outside.

He still had plenty to do 100 yards from home but finished to such effect that he was in front a stride after the line.

Ehsan took the field along at a merry clip but had no more to give when headed by Im Spartacus in the final furlong.