O'Brien happy with Improved display

Aidan O’Brien expects Most Improved to live up to his name after last year’s St James’s Palace Stakes winner finished third behind stablemate Flying The Flag on his comeback run in the eFlow ’You First’ International Stakes at the Curragh.

The Ballydoyle trainer felt the four-year-old, formerly with Brian Meehan, is sure to benefit from his first start for 251 days.

Most Improved was sent off the 5-4 favourite, but could never get in a blow for Joseph O’Brien in this four-runner Group Three heat over a mile and a quarter.

“He has been off a long time and he just got tired as he was entitled to do,” said the trainer.

“I was very happy with the run, especially how he travelled during the race. Joseph said he won’t mind going back in trip.”

O’Brien still came out on top as Flying The Flag (21-10) under Seamie Heffernan overtook the pace-setting Aloof in the final furlong to win by four lengths.

“I’m delighted with him. He’s a mile and a quarter horse and fast ground is important to him. There was plenty of pace on and that suited him,” said O’Brien.

The Vatican (5-2) overcame a 358-day absence to win for the O’Brien team on his second start when holding Al Destoor in the eFlow ‘Hassle Free’ Maiden.

Avenue Gabriel got the better of Ballybacka Queen as two newcomers battled out the finish to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

Ridden by Chris Hayes, Avenue Gabriel (14-1) got on top close home to score by a neck from 50-1 outsider Ballybacka Queen and give owner Lady O’Reilly her first winner with trainer Paul Deegan.

Snow, sent off the 4-6 favourite, never looked like obliging for the O’Brien team, finishing only fifth.

Said Deegan: “We think she is a nice filly and there is plenty more to come from her. She was ready to go and do herself justice and she’ll probably go for the Silver Flash Stakes now.

“Lady O’Reilly bought her off of us earlier this year.”

Dr Funkenstein (6-4 favourite) justified strong support to open his account in the 100 to 102 Today FM Maiden.

The Ger Lyons-trained gelding stepped up on a debut third to defeat One True Love by a length and three-quarters.

Said Lyons: “He’ll be a real horse in six months time. He is a lovely big horse and he needs every yard of that trip.”

First-time cheekpieces did the trick as Yulong Baoju (7-2) took the Irish National Stud Gathering Handicap.

Eddie Lynam’s filly had disappointed on both her starts this year, but dropped down to five furlongs she hit the front inside the final furlong and held Speed Dream by a length.

Said Lynam: “Timing is everything and her owners are over from China to see her run and even better they had a few quid on.

“It was a good time, 57.85 seconds, and she’ll probably go for the Rockingham (at the Curragh next month) now.”

Young rider Marc Monaghan followed up his Group Three triumph on Midnight Soprano earlier this month by steering home Mourani (4-1) in the eFlow Rewardcard Apprentice Derby.

Leading over two furlongs out, the John Oxx-trained colt pulled away to score by a length and three-quarters from King Of the Romans.

Oxx said: “He’s a stayer. They went a nice pace, which suited him and they probably let him go a bit, but he stays well and he doesn’t stop in front.

“He goes well on the ground and he’ll stay further.”