Layfayette delivers for Noel Meade and Chris Hayes to take Irish Lincoln

Jockey Luke McAteer waits for his mount, MK Drama, in the starting stalls before The WhatOddsPaddy? Handicap at The Curragh. Picture: Inpho/Morgan Treacy

Just days on from saddling Jeff Kidder to win the Boodles Handicap at the Cheltenham Festival, Noel Meade sent Layfayette out to take the feature race, the Paddy Power Irish Lincoln, on the opening day of the new turf season, at the Curragh.

Chris Hayes’ mount quickly settled in behind the pace and moved sweetly to the straight. When asked for maximum pressure, the four-year-old, sporting cheekpieces for the first time, gave generously and held the late run of Maker Of Kings a shade cosily.