Bantry Bay strides towards the line© Photo Healy Racing
Bantry Bay improved on his debut runner-up finish as he ran out a comfortable winner of the mile and two maiden at the Curragh.
The 4/5 favourite, with Ryan Moore in the saddle, raced upsides Aared from the gate. As the pair hit the three pole Chris Hayes on Aared and Moore both started to push their mounts along.
Bantry Bay edged ahead a furlong and a half out and opened up a gap coming to the final furlong.
Moore kept him up to his work as he came in clear of the staying on Ashoka (13/2) in second. Long-time leader Aared (7/1) got a third-placed reward. He was beaten three and three quarter lengths by the winner.
There was plenty of money around for Ashoka this morning as he was backed from 12/1 to 8/1 before going off 13/2.
Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "He was very green the first day and was still green there. He'll stay further and is a massive big horse. He could be a lovely four-year-old."
Bantry Bay had been beaten a short head by stablemate Bondi Beach in Leopardstown earlier this month.
Moore's treble comprised Air Force Blue Master Speaker and Bantry Bay while O'Brien's double was courtesy of this winner and Air Force Blue.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
