Clive Brittain is never afraid to travel his horses and Crimplene provided the English trainer with another overseas success when collecting her second 1,000 Guineas in the Entenmann's sponsored Irish equivalent at the Curragh today.
Brittain's filly, successful in the German version at Dusseldorf earlier this month, was visiting her fifth different country in five races and showed what a high-class versatile performer she is with a length-and-a-half success over Amethyst.
The winner, a 16/1 shot, done it the hard way - making virtually all. Amethyst threw down a major challenge over a furlong from home but the winner responded gamely for Philip Robinson to gain the verdict.
Brittain was in jubilant mood as he greeted his filly and was convinced that the daughter of Lion Cavern, second in the Italian version also, should have three Guineas under her belt.
'She never would have been beaten in Italy but the handler gave her a right hiding before she went in to the stalls. I came away from there very upset. ' stated the winning handler.
'He was having trouble with the animal that went in before and took it out on her. She was in a right lather when she jumped out.
'She couldn't run in the German and the English as they were the same day - even though she does travel well.' Brittian quipped.
When asked where the filly would go next he joked 'I wish they would run the English Guineas again for some reason and we would go back and win that. She will have a rest now and could run next week!
'The Coronation Stakes is the target and she should stay a mile-and-a-quarter.'
And on her impressive travelling exploits 'If you put Luso (another of Brittain's globetrotting stars) on her you could end up with something that would go to Pluto!'
7/2 favourite Meiosis was reported slightly lame after the contest while the previously unbeaten Preseli was never travelling and finished with only one behind.
Aidan O'Brien unleased a potentially top-class colt when Darwin destroyed his opposition in the Napolina EBF Maiden at the prohibitive odds of 4/11.
O'Brien has made a habit of introducing a smart colt in this race with Bernstein landing it last year and subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner King of Kings blowing away the opposition in similar style in 1997.
The son of Danehill made easy work of landing the six furlong contest, stretching away from the two pole for a highly impressive seven length victory.
Mick Kinane always had the debutant in the firing line and moved past long-time leader Stokesie two furlongs from home - steadily increasing the gap behind him all the way to the line.
'This horse has serious ability and Mick said 'when he knows his job what is he going to be like'.' revealed O'Brien afterwards.
'He is a lovely horse and we'll have a look at the Coventry at Royal Ascot. We have just been doing enough with these horses at home to let them win their maidens.'
Jammaal (5/1) came showed an impressive finishing kick to land the Listed Airlie Stud Silver Stakes for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen.
The colt, held up in the early stages, made progress entering the straight. English raider Island Sound took charge two furlongs out from the pacesetting Raypour but was soon tackled by Jammaal who stayed on well to record a two-length victory.
'That was a tough performance and he has been doing it all season. He put it up to Monashee Mountain here earlier in the season.' said Weld.
'The blinkers today just helped him concentrate. He is lazy and they help Pat (Smullen).
'He's the sort of horse to win a nice race on the continent. He could come back here for the Group Two International race on Derby day. He's in the Derby but I think he is better suited by a mile-and-one or a mile-and-a-quarter.'
The pair had earlier secured the first leg of a 47 to 1 double when Pine Dance (7/1) carried top weight to victory in the Maginn TV Handicap.
The colt led from half-way in the mile contest and drew clear from two furlongs out for an easy three-and-a-half-length victory over Geraldo.
Antrim Coast returned from a lengthy absence to score at 10/1 in the Helen Hannan Memorial Handicap - emerging on top by a head and the same from a three-way battle which involved Anna Elise and Port Lush.
'He had been out in a field for a year-and-a-half after getting an injury. This is the first race he has won after promising so much.' said winning trainer Con Collins.
Winged Hussar (8/1) claimed the concluding Guineas Festival Handicap for the John Oxx/Johnny Murtagh partnership.
The In The Wings gelding came through to claim long-time leader Dragon Triumph a furlong-and-a-half out and held the challenge of Catch The Dragon by half a length.
Quws was found to be destressed post race.
