KYPRIOS made a more than pleasing return to action with a cruise around Navan in the Listed SBK Vintage Crop Stakes on Saturday to bring up a double for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.

O’Brien’s star stayer was only seen twice last year in an injury-shortened campaign, but showed his undoubted ability and class over this mile-and-six-furlongs trip.

The 2/13 favourite tracked stablemate Queenstown and assumed the lead a quarter of a mile from home. Moore asked him to go and win his race in the final furlong and he drew three-and-a-quarter-lengths clear in the Moyglare, Magnier, Tabor, Smith and Westerberg colours.

O’Brien said: “When he gets there he doesn’t do much and that is the way he is, but he was travelling very easily all the way.

“Everything is good so far - the plan was to come here, go to Leopardstown (Saval Beg) and go to the Gold Cup.

Double

Juvenile Camille Pissarro initiated O’Brien and Moore’s double when making a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over the extended five furlongs.

The 10/11 favourite stayed on well up the stiff finish to grab the lead inside the final furlong. He put in good work in the closing stages to score by a length and a-half for Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Peter Brant.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “He is very exciting, the penny was only starting to drop with him really in the last half furlong which was probably the best part of the race for him.

“He is definitely one for (Royal) Ascot, he’s a classy sort. Whether we get one run into him between now and Ascot, I’m not sure. We could go to Ascot without a run.”

Ezeliya a filly going places

DERMOT Weld has an Oaks candidate on his hands in Ezeliya who landed the Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes by half a length.

Chris Hayes, in the Aga Khan silks, produced her to pounce on the favourite Purple Lily inside the final furlong and she kept on best at 9/1.

Weld said: “I thought she would run a big race and she did. It was a very true run group race and they went a real good gallop for a mile and a quarter. I loved the way she attacked the hill and saw her race out well.”

When asked about the Epsom and Irish Oaks, he replied: “We will see how she progresses during the week and make a decision in two weeks’ time.”

Givemethebeatboys won a final-furlong battle with Betsen in the Listed Space Traveller Irish EBF Committed Stakes to the delight of Jessica Harrington.

Shane Foley drove the 13/8 favourite home by a head for Bronsan Racing and Exors Of the Late Theresa Marnane.

Toughed it out

Harrington said: “He did everything wrong in a way because he was free early on, took a blow at the furlong pole and he (Shane Foley) had to wait for him, the other horse (Betsen) had had a run, and he will be much better for that. That will sharpen him up a lot. He toughed it out well.

“He’ll go to Naas now and then the plan is the Commonwealth Cup.”

Transcendental was last seen shaded by a neck in a higher grade at the Curragh in November and delivered on seasonal reappearance in The Kilberry Apprentice Handicap.

She made headway for Robert Whearty approaching the final furlong and stayed on strongly to poach the lead close home.

After the 11/2 chance came in by half a length, Gavin Cromwell said: “Down in grade and they went good and fast which suited her fine.

“Robbie was good on her, he was nice and patient and when she hit the rising ground she stayed on well.”

She took the honours for Nigel O’Hare, Mark Devlin, Kabin Racing Syndicate and John A Donnelly.

UNAVOIDABLE (13/2) made a winning start to his career in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 3YO Spring Series Median Auction Maiden over a mile and a quarter.

The Gleneagles gelding was worked to the front a furlong down by Gavin Ryan, but faced a stern challenge from a rallying Rock Of Ireland on his inner.

Unavoidable held a narrow advantage and passed the post with a head to spare over the plucky runner-up to land the honours for Atlantic Thoroughbreds.

Donnacha O’Brien said: “He did it very well to be fair to him. He’s a lovely big horse and just took plenty of time to come to himself.

“We will look for some kind of winners’ race now and see where he stands.”

Flynn goes forward

Paul Flynn’s Nostra Casa put his best foot forward in the SBK Betting Podcast Handicap.

The 8/1 shot was ridden in sixth at the two pole by Dylan Browne McMonagle and improved to third at the furlong marker. He soon took over and rolled home by three-quarters of a length at 8/1.

Trainer Paul Flynn said: “The boys (Tell Me Your Business Syndicate) like Galway and we will try and get into Galway this year, we missed it with a cut last year.”

Boher Road (7/1) powered home off the front in the Navan Handicap over a mile and five-furlongs.

Ronan Whelan’s mount was in no mood to relent in the final furlong and sailed in by two and a-quarter lengths for owner Patrick K McCarthy.

Trainer Jarlath Fahey said: “He is a horse that likes to get his own way - he dictates to the jockey instead of the jockey to him. We just play along with him.

“Ronan said that trip is fine and the way he finished out you wouldn’t object to running him over two miles on the flat either.