Decado books classic ticket
Decado ran out the impressive winner of the Rock Of Gibraltar EBF Tetrarch Stakes at the Curragh to earn a tilt at the Irish 2000 Guineas.
Kevin Prendergast’s progressive colt led a furlong out and ran on strongly to account for British challenger Sir Xaar in good style by three and a half lengths.
Aidan O’Brien’s Hurricane Cat came from well off the pace to take third, another length away.
Prendergast said of the 9-4 favourite: “He will go for the Irish 2000 Guineas now, all being well.
“We will have to see how he goes but he keeps surprising us.
“He has done all his racing with ease in the ground so we don’t know how he will act on firm.
“He might have got a soft touch today, I don’t know, but we will take it anyway.”
Drayton (5-4 favourite) followed up his debut victory over course and distance with a narrow win over Karl Burke’s Middleham raider Chjimes in the Listed Coolmore Stakes.
Tommy Stack’s charge got home by a head in the five-furlong dash and could now be Royal Ascot-bound.
The County Tipperary-based trainer said: “He came out of the gates probably too well and ran a bit keen and was in front too soon.
“He’ll go for the Marble Hill Stakes next on his way to either Royal Ascot or the Railway Stakes.”
Jazz Princess proved too good for her rivals in the seven-furlong Oratorio EBF Athasi Stakes.
Michael Halford’s filly was a Group Three winner as a juvenile but she failed to add to her tally last season, although she ran well on more than one occasion.
However, she got back in the winning groove with a convincing performance in the hands of Johnny Murtagh.
She moved smoothly into the lead with two furlongs left to go and then ran on strongly to resist the challenge of Ardbrae Lady by one and a half lengths.
Halford said: “There is no plan for her now – that was the plan. She has come good lately and she should improve for that.
“I’ve only had her since January and she likes an ease in the ground but she will handle good ground. She showed good form last year without getting her head in front.
“She will stay further and I wouldn’t be afraid to go another furlong with her.”
