Catalina Delcarpio makes striking impression on Leopardstown debut

In recent years Dermot Weld’s Tarnawa and Joseph O’Brien’s Above The Curve have both used the race as a springboard to Group One glory, as has Aidan O’Brien’s Savethelastdance.

Those trainers were represented again, with Weld’s Etawa, from a typical Aga Khan family, making her debut, while O’Brien’s Tswalu was sent off favourite for her only outing last year when she met trouble in running.

Neither of them had an answer to Paddy Twomey’s filly, though, who in a matter of half a dozen strides went from third to first, showcasing a blistering turn of foot.

Sent off at 11-4, the 400,000 guineas purchase, who holds an entry in the Irish Oaks, chance pulled four and a half lengths clear of Tswalu, with Etwa back in third.

“She’s always trained well and I was looking forward to coming racing today,” said Twomey.

“I told the owner last week I was putting her in the Epsom Oaks, but then I decided not to, I don’t know whether that was a good or bad idea.

“I just thought Epsom might come a bit soon with her development starting today. He told me we could supplement her, so I said we’ll see.

“She was just ready to start and mine usually get well beaten on debut, I think she’s nice.

“I haven’t thought about plans. I wanted to come here and start and see what happened. I’m happy with what happened and we’ll make a new plan now.”

Aidan O’Brien had run three in the opening maiden and all while they unplaced he made no mistake with Stay True (3-1) in the Student Style Awards (C&G) Maiden that followed.

The choice of Ryan Moore from another three Ballydoyle runners, he was one of the first under pressure but continued to respond.

Once on an even keel the Irish Derby entrant powered home to beat 9-4 favourite Game Point by two and a quarter lengths.

“Ryan said he’s a lovely horse,” said O’Brien.

“We’ll see how he comes out of it and then we’ll have a look and see if we go to a trial with him.

“He was very babyish, but he liked him. All those races are going to be open for him.

“He was very happy with him and said he really got going going to the line. I’d say there is a lot of improvement in him. He said he was very green.”

Another impressive maiden winner on the card was Johnny Murtagh’s Alakazi (9-4) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.

“He has been going very well at home and his work companion ran very well yesterday,” said Murtagh.

“We probably have a couple of nice three-year-olds colts this year.

“I ran him last year just to get a bit of experience into him. I was a bit disappointed leaving (beaten 12 lengths by Twain) because I thought he was nice, but maybe it was a bit much for him first time out on heavy ground.

“It was interesting to see how he behaved today with the student day and the good buzz around the place, but he took it all really well.

“We’ll stick him up into a stakes race the next time and see what he’s made of.”

The winner holds an entry in the €200,000 Gowran Classic at the start of June and when asked it that could be an option, Murtagh added: “That could be a spot there because Ben (Coen) said he probably will get a bit further but not just yet. A mile seems good at the moment.”

The Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage Stakes went the way of Lord Massusus (4-1) for Joe Murphy and Gary Carroll.

“We’ll keep him to Listed and Group Threes and maybe come back here on Champions Weekend for the Boomerang Stakes,” said Murphy.