Words (Joseph O'Brien, centre) proves best from Curlylocks (white face) and Raydara (noseband)© Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O'Brien limbered up for the big challenge ahead with Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby favourite Australia by landing a double at the Curragh on the eve-of-Derby card.
The Ballydoyle handler introduced a potentially smart youngster in Words a daughter of Irish Oaks winner Moonstone, who showed a smart turn of foot to take the Tom Crean's Irish Lager EBF Fillies Maiden.
She dawdled out of the stalls, but Joseph O'Brien was in no hurry and swooped down the outside from the rear to lead inside the final furlong. The 3-1 shot ran on powerfully to beat Raydara by a length.
The trainer and jockey doubled up in the Done Deal Handicap when Table Rock (11-2), unplaced in the Britannia at Royal Ascot, emerged from the pack a furlong out and hit the front soon after to beat Bold Thady Quill by a length and a half.
Jim Bolger went one better with a treble, begun when Feach Ar Agaidh (7-2), second on his debut at Gowran only last weekend, won the Dublin Coach To The Curragh Races EBF Maiden with some authority, racing four and a quarter lengths clear under Kevin Manning.
The trainer and jockey also struck with 9-4 favourite Chance To Dance who recorded his third victory of the season as he quickened into the lead from the two pole and held off Vastonea by three-quarters of a length in the Silken Thomas Kildare Town & Lock 13 Sallins Handicap.
Bolger's other success came in the Done Deal Apprentice Derby when 20-1 outsider News At Six was produced to lead inside the final furlong by Ronan Whelan and raced a length and a half clear of Karezak
Declan McDonogh was taking no chances with 4-9 favourite Streetcar To Stars in the Hanlon Concrete EBF Maiden, leading all the way on John Oxx's promising colt and eventually dismissing the threat of Annus Mirabilis by three lengths.
Mick Halford's 5-1 shot Kernoff looked to be struggling in the Today FM Handicap, but he kept producing for Shane Foley and after hitting the front deep inside the final furlong, went away to win by two lengths.
