AIDAN O’Brien dominated the stakes races at the Curragh last Saturday with the Ballydoyle maestro and Ryan Moore teaming up for a treble on the card.

Last year’s St Leger winner Continuous was the star attraction in the Shoda Market Cafe Royal Whip Stakes, and he set himself up for an autumn campaign with a cosy win.

The 4/7 favourite tracked front-runner Trustyourinstinct in the Group 3 prize over ten furlongs before travelling well to dispute turning for home.

Moore asked his mount to hit the front passing the furlong marker and he was always doing enough to hold the long-time leader by half a length.

The winner has a host of possible targets on the horizon and O’Brien said: “He can go to the Leger. He could have a run in the Irish Champion with a view to going to the Arc after it. He’s a very versatile horse, a great horse to have.”

When asked if the Long Distance Cup at Ascot could be a possibility, he added: “100 percent. He can also do next year, he can do a Japan Cup. He has so many options. Ryan decided to take a lead with him today, he could have popped out and went all the way himself. It was lovely for him.”

Front runner

Grosvenor Square looks likely to try and emulate his stablemate at Doncaster this year after a powerful front-running performance in the Comer Group Irish St Leger Trial Stakes.

Moore was soon clear on the Galileo colt in the mile and six Group 3 contest and extended his advantage at halfway.

The 1/2 favourite showed no signs of stopping in the closing stages as he galloped on strongly to post a comprehensive 20-length success over Courageous Strike.

“He has serious stamina when he gets into a rhythm. He’s an exciting horse,” said O’Brien.

“I said to Ryan ‘was he finished at the line’ and he said he wasn’t, that he galloped through the line. It’s very hard not to go to Doncaster, we’ll see what the lads want to do.”

Perfect start

The Coolmore operation got off to the perfect start in the opening Qatar Racing & Equestrian Irish EBF Stakes when Treasure Isle ran out a game winner.

He disputed throughout in the five-furlong listed contest before being asked to hit the front two furlongs from home.

Saratoga Special came with a strong challenge passing the furlong pole but Treasure Isle responded well and held her at bay to record a half-length win at odds of 9/4.

“We’re very happy with him, he’s a fast horse and we learned that the last day,” said O’Brien. “Ryan said he’s very quick but he will get further too.”

O’Callaghan eyeing stakes races with Seas

MICHAEL O’Callaghan was delighted to see Distant Seas get back on track with a convincing success in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden.

The Sergei Prokofiev colt was to the fore throughout in the six-furlong contest before easing on at the two pole.

He went clear passing the furlong marker and despite shying away from the rail there the 11/4 favourite soon opened up to score by four and three-quarter lengths under Colin Keane.

“Soft ground at Naas was his undoing the last day,” said O’Callaghan.

“Colin said he loved that ground and he thought he had plenty in hand at the line. He said if it was nice ground he wouldn’t be afraid to run him in the Round Tower. We’ll step him up now.”

Late surge

Girl Like You was another to deliver on early promise when lunging late to land the Tote App Nursery Handicap.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained filly had disappointed on two outings since finishing third on debut over course and distance.

She found plenty for Declan McDonogh this time to chase down Snapdragon late on and secure a half-length win at odds of 12/1.

Stable representative Sean Corby said: “That was a good performance, she showed a good attitude. I’d say she loves to have plenty of cover and coming at them late. She had been a little bit disappointing since her first run but today was more like it.”

Bold Lad target for Power

HEAVENLY Power was a poignant success for connections when running out a game winner of the Killashee Hotel Handicap.

The Eddie Lynam-trained gelding was prominent throughout and stuck on well in the closing stages, under Wayne Lordan, as Apache Outlaw came to press him late on and get within a neck.

It was the first winner for owner Sabena Power since the passing of her husband, legendary bookmaker David Power, last month and Lynam said afterwards: “I’m delighted to get it and I thought about the boss when it went by the line. He was a big loss to racing and it’s great that Sabena was here.

“He was second in this race last year and he’ll probably go straight to the Bold Lad now. We’ll have a few in the Bold Lad but that doesn’t guarantee you anything except that you’re busy!”

Cosy winner

Goldmoyne secured his second Curragh success when running out a cosy winner of the Tote.ie Handicap for Tim Doyle.

Wayne Hassett made all on the 7/1 shot in the €20,000 contest as he recorded a two-and-three-quarter-length win over I Bid You Ajou.

“He loves this place but getting him to the start is the problem as he gets very wound up,” said Doyle.

“If you can get him to the start in the right frame of mind, he has ability. It’s great to get a race like that here, worth a few quid for that grade of horse.”

Dream outcome

Imperial Dream was given a good reception after his victory in the concluding Tote Handicap over six furlongs.

Billy Lee had the 9/1 shot prominent throughout and he was in front a furlong and a half from home, sticking on well close home to hold Dynamic Force by three-quarters of a length.

“Seaney Kelly, a good pal of mine from the Montelado days years ago, set up the (Dream Team) syndicate and they are from Kildare, Dublin, Kerry and Roscommon,” said Flynn.

“Billy said he was pricking his ears at the end so it was good. Thank God he held on for the lads, it’s a great syndicate and I’m delighted to get them, they were very good to come to us. It’s a lovely winner at the Curragh for them, it’s a day to remember.”