RYAN Moore was the jockey to follow at the Curragh on Saturday afternoon, riding a four-timer on the card.

Acapulco Bay was the first of the quartet when justifying 2/11 favouritism in the opening Kara Quinn Memorial Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden. Making all, the Westerberg, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith-owned colt beat stablemate Genealogy by one and three- quarter lengths.

“We’re very happy with him, he was very green in front,” said trainer Aidan O’Brien. “The last day he came from behind and Ryan said he never really picked the bridle up at all. It was new to him but he was very happy with him. He really didn’t go forward at all and was just waiting the whole time because he hadn’t been in front before.

“Obviously, he’s going to be a horse that will take his time in a good race. We saw what he did the last day over seven when he came flashing home. Today he didn’t go forward at all because all he was doing was looking, he was getting no lead.

“The second horse ran a lovely race. He has done plenty of work and has been there a long time, working all the time, but he’s just been asleep. That’s why we run them, get them out and see. Wayne was happy with him, complimentary of him.”

Dream double

Dreamy brought up a quick double when leading over a furlong out to win the Group 3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Fillies Stakes.

Sent off 6/5 favourite, the Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith-owned filly beat Fiery Lucy by one and a half lengths.

Aidan O’Brien said: “I’m delighted with her, she’s lovely. Ryan is very impressed with her. She’s a baby and he was minding and teaching her. We’ll see whether we go again or not this year, she doesn’t have to.”

When asked if she could be a possible Oaks filly he added: “I’d say that’s what she is, a big Oaks filly.”

Moore’s treble was completed in the following race when Ides Of March showed a smart turn of foot to win the Group 3 Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes. Sent off 2/5 favourite, the Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Brookdale Racing-owned colt went clear inside the final furlong to win by three and a quarter lengths.

“He was professional and grew up a lot from the last day,” said Aidan O’Brien. The trainer, who was also completing a three-timer added: “I’m delighted and we’ll look at the Middle Park with him now. He’s a powerful, fast horse and he finds it easy to go quick.

“I think he’s versatile (ground-wise). Wootton Bassetts handle soft ground as well and he handles fast ground very easy, he’s a very good mover. The mare was a very good mare in America (Grade 1 winner).”

HAVING teamed up with Aidan O’Brien to win the first three races, Moore later rode Wigmore Street to land the Paddy Power Supporting Cancer Trials Irish Cambridgeshire (Premier Handicap) for son, Joseph.

Having had only one horse behind him at the furlong pole, the 22/1 chance stayed on strongly close home to beat State Actor a head. Joseph O’Brien said of the Michael Tabor-owned winner: “It was the most incredible ride, he just dropped him on the line. Dylan felt after the last day in Tipperary that he didn’t enjoy making the running so we said we’d cover him up today and see what happens.

“It was a great pot and he could either go into another handicap or go for a listed race, it will be one or the other. We had hoped to go to Ascot but had a little setback before that.”

Tarawa on top

Chris Hayes won the Group 3 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes on Tarawa for Dermot Weld. Leading over two furlongs out, the 11/2 chance stayed on strongly to beat fellow Aga Khan-owned filly Hanalia by one and a quarter lengths.

Weld later said: “It was a good performance by her, she’s been a model of consistency. I know she’s been placed more times in group races but she has a lot of blacktype and having won a stakes race at Leopardstown, it was just lovely to go and win a group race with her today.

“I thought she had it won a long way out. I appreciate she got first run on them a little bit but the track is riding quick today and the plan was to sit very handy because they are not coming from off the pace.

“I think a mile-and-one is her correct trip. She’s after winning her stakes and her group race over a mile-and-one. She was in a graded race at Kentucky Downs and we gave it a lot of thought but we decided to stay here. I have a few ideas for her now.”

When asked about her entry in the Matron Stakes, he added: “We’ll see how she comes out of it, that could be a possibility. It depends on the makeup of the Matron. She’s very good around Leopardstown so we’ll give it definite consideration.”

McGettigan first success

Young Donegal jockey Patrick McGettigan partnered his first career winner when King Thistle landed the FBD Hotels And Resorts Faithlegg Hotel Nursery Handicap by one and a quarter lengths.

Johnny Murtagh later said of his 6/1 winner: “I thought after being second in Down Royal he had a high mark but Patrick’s 10lb claim helped. I think he’s a good young lad, he’s after being on the pony circuit for a while.

“Patrick came to me last year before going back to school but he’s here full-time now. He signed on just after Dingle and he’s been with me full-time. I think you’ll hear a bit more about him, he’s not too bad.

“I think the claim played a big part in it today, he’s a small horse and had a big weight. We put the blinkers on him because Ben (Coen) thought the last day that he does look around a bit and he needs to concentrate. I thought seven furlongs at the Curragh today would suit him well.

“I’m delighted for the owner Noel (Hartley) who has backed us for the last couple of years. It’s been hard to win races for him.”

McGettigan said: “That was unbelievable, especially the fact that it came at the Curragh. It was only my fourth ride, as well. I was travelling so well that I had to pull out a bit earlier than I wanted to. The feeling passing the line was even better than I ever dreamed it would be. I’m 16 and from Letterkenny.”

Trainer Paul Flynn added to what has already been a best ever season when sending out Rappell to win the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Apprentice Handicap.

Sent off 8/1, the Patrick McGuire and Neal Flynn- owned three-year-old won by one and a quarter lengths under a confident Keithen Kennedy ride.

Paul Flynn said: “We thought about leaving him off after his last win. I was kicking myself as I had him entered here but went to Cork because it was three-year-old only. I wanted to run him once here as I thought he was a horse that would suit the place, I’m glad I did now.

“He doesn’t kill himself in front by the looks of it, the last furlong looked like coming up the Cheltenham hill! I think he’ll be a better horse next year, we’ll either put him in the sales or keep him ourselves for next year.”

Steph Searle won the concluding Pat Smullen Cancer Trials Ireland Charity Race on the Willie Mullins-trained Icare Desbois.

Sent off 7/2, the Noel Kennelly-owned grey prevailed by one and a quarter lengths from Indulging with Pat’s son Paddy third on By Your Side.