AIDAN O'Brien's Caravaggio is set to be seen next in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville on August 21 after cementing his position at the top of the juvenile tree with another imperious performance in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

Bringing a three-race unbeaten record into the first Group 1 of the season for two-year-olds, the son of Scat Daddy was the red-hot 1-8 favourite to make it four from four. The Coventry Stakes winner made his move at the two-furlong pole and Seamus Heffernan never had to get too serious to beat stablemate Courage Under Fire by an easy four lengths.

Coral cut O'Brien's star to 11-4 favourite from 3-1 for the Qipco 2000 Guineas. RaceBets make him the 5-2 market leader from 7-2.

Before that a clash with brilliant Queen Mary Stakes heroine Lady Aurelia could be on the cards in France.

O'Brien said: "He's a very good horse and everything went 100 per cent. In his last piece of work he hit a top speed of 45 miles per hour - no horse in Ballydoyle has ever been able to do that. He's very pacey and has a great mind. He's so relaxed he could get further, but I'd say we'll have a look at the Morny.

"He's the fastest we have ever had and I'd not be in a rush to go over seven furlongs. He could always go for the Middle Park after the Morny."

With Ryan Moore on the sidelines, Heffernan was riding Caravaggio for the first time since his debut at Dundalk in April.

He said: "He had plenty left today, he's always shown a lot. He was fresh early on, so Aidan gave him a run at Dundalk just to take the freshness off him. We thought he was an Ascot horse and he's never disappointed. I would say he has (all the attributes needed to go all the way), yes."

Air Force Blue's disappointing campaign continued in the Group 3 Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh.

The vibes were strong for last year's champion juvenile, who flopped in the English and Irish Guineas before finishing 12th in the July Cup, and he went off the even-money favourite. But he was slowly away and although he quickly made up ground to track the leaders, the response was minimal when Seamus Heffernan asked Aidan O'Brien's charge for an effort and he trailed home last.

The prize went the way of Toscanini, who was always prominent in his bid to better last season's second. Michael Halford's 5-1 chance was a willing partner for James Doyle and stuck his neck out to see off Eastern Impact by a length and a quarter.

Halford said: "He always had ability but only now has he fully grown up. He had his ground conditions today and that is his trip. He was a bit weak and immature and used to travel with such ease but didn't finish his races. We always thought he was a high-class horse. It was a great ride from James as he did terrific to get across from where he was."

Mur Hiba maintained her progression with victory in the K Club European Breeders Fund Maiden at the Curragh.

Michael O'Callaghan's youngster was down the field here on her debut but stepped forward markedly on her return to finish a close-up third in the warm maiden won by Velveteen.

The 3-1 chance hit the front at the furlong marker in the hands of Kevin Manning and saw out her race well to keep Blitz at bay by half a length.

O'Callaghan said: "She's been so relaxed at home that we started her off over seven furlongs. We've been stepping her back every time in her races as she's been showing a lot of natural speed.

"Kevin rode her the last day and was very keen to ride her again. Anything she does this year will be a bonus as she's still a big, immature filly. We'll probably find a stakes race for her and then put her away. She looks an out-and-out sprinter, and the last day we rode her very positive over six (furlongs)."

O'BRIEN MAIDENS

Hydrangea made every post a winning one in the Loder European Breeders Fund Fillies Race at the Curragh. The daughter of Galileo was an encouraging second at the Galway Festival and was a well-supported 4-9 favourite to go one better.

Seamus Heffernan dictated terms to suit himself and, although his partner still showed signs of inexperience, she eventually knuckled down well to see off Madame Cherie by two and a quarter lengths.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "She ran a lovely race in Galway and has progressed again. I'm delighted with that, she's a very nice filly. She will fit into one of the seven-furlong stakes races and I'd imagine she will run over a mile before the end of the season."

Betfair offered a 25-1 quote about the winner for the Investec Oaks.

This was followed by a one-two for the O'Brien stable in the Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital European Breeders Fund Maiden at the Curragh.

The Galileo colt Utah had the benefit of experience, having finished sixth at Leopardstown on his debut, and Seamus Heffernan set out to capitalise on that match practice, sending him to the front from the outset.

Plenty of challengers queued up early in the straight but the 11-10 favourite wound up the gallop and kept going to see off The Anvil, who stayed on takingly, two and a quarter lengths behind the winner.

O'Brien said: "The first day at Leopardstown, Seamie said he didn't get the clearest of runs and was very green. He got a quick position today and galloped all the way to the line. He was not stopping in front but was still having a look around, and will improve again."

READ THE FULL CURRAGH REPORT IN THE IRISH FIELD