THE Listed Goffs Irish EBF Polonia Stakes was won by in tremendous style by Johnny Murtagh’s French import Royal Bay Cen (15/2), who bolted up by nine lengths under Ben Coen.

Purchased by owner David Skelly for €20,000 just a few months ago, the 98-rated three-year-old dropped to five and a half furlongs on her Irish debut and scooted clear a furlong out.

Coen commented: “She is a very genuine filly, puts a lot into it and, while she wouldn’t blow you away to ride her at home, she tries very hard. She really quickened on ground which isn’t easy to do so on. She had decent form in France, but it tapered off at the end of last year although had only finished less than two lengths behind Balantina (Breeders’ Cup winner) in one of her races.”

Ascot aim

Key Witness (9/2) is another recruit repaying new connections, as Pat Flynn’s 15,000gns buy completed a hat-trick of wins in the seven-furlong handicap. Partnered by regular rider Alan Persse, the 89-rated four-year-old kept on to score by a neck and the trainer now hopes to send the well-bought gelding to Royal Ascot.

Flynn reported: “I think he is a seven-furlong horse, so will look at the Buckingham Palace Stakes. It would appear he needs easy ground, so fast ground at Ascot would be a concern, but we’ll see. If anyone wants a runner at Royal Ascot, they can find my number. If someone wouldn’t buy him, what would they buy?”

Maiden victory

Galway was mentioned after Johnny Soda (3/1 favourite) got off the mark in the apprentice handicap over a mile for Ado McGuinness. Third in a Curragh handicap last month, the Go Nutz Racing Syndicate’s representative was produced from the rear to score by half a length under Sam Coen.

McGuinness commented: “He is a lovely horse who we bought in the breeze-ups last year. Even though he is by Cotai Glory, I’d say he is a 10-furlong plus horse.

“Not many of his progeny end up jumping, but you could see this horse in that sphere as he is 16.2hh. I think there’ll be another big day on the flat with him and he could end up in Galway.”

THE Gavin Cromwell-trained Londonofficecallin (22- 40/1) was the surprise winner of the Horse And Jockey Hotel Cork Derby under Robert Whearty. Pulled up when last seen at Cheltenham in November, the nine-year-old was notching a 10th success, scoring a half-length win from Immutable.

In Bounds Syndicate member Feidhlim Cunningham reported: “That was a nice surprise as it was his first run back this season. He was drawn widest of all, and we asked Robbie (Whearty) to go forward, so he said he took the longest route and was gutsy in the straight.

“It is a big pot to win and he has gone up the grades, which is always nice to do.”

Stakes aim

There was a smart winner of the opening Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden, as Edward Thatch improved on his debut third for Robson de Aguiar and Donagh O’Connor. The even-money favourite made all and drew clear inside the final furlong to win by five and a half lengths.

De Aguiar, whose wife Giselle owns the Blackbeard colt with Amo Racing, said: “He is a nice horse and we think a lot of him. The first day he went fast, but he settled well today; he won comfortably in the end.

“I think he will run next in the Marble Hill Stakes and then we will think about the Coventry at Royal Ascot.

“He got away with five furlongs today being on slower ground, but on faster ground, it will have to be six for him.”

Taking debut

Fozzy Stack’s newcomer Samurai Sam (10/1) also created a favourable impression when running out a four-and-a-half-length winner of the Unquestionable Standing At Rathbarry Stud maiden under Seamie Heffernan. Racing in midfield, the Starspangledbanner gelding led before the final furlong and soon quickened clear.

Stack reported: “He had been working solidly all spring and is a nice horse. He is owned by Mr Chu, who lives in Hong Kong and I’d imagine this horse will end up going there sooner rather than later.

“He was just a little bit gross last winter, so we gelded him. With him eventually going to Hong Kong, that doesn’t really matter.”

CHAMPION jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle returned following an injury incurred at Hong Kong in March to complete a double for Joseph O’Brien at Cork on Sunday, beginning with Yousaynothingatall in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden.

The even-money favourite made virtually all the running and eased clear to score by five lengths for Shane Stafford and the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate.

Browne McMonagle reported “I’m glad to be back and Joseph’s horses are in great form. Thankfully I have come in when they are in tip-top shape and this was a good way to get started.

Unbelievable

“Hong Kong was unbelievable and I really really enjoyed it. I learned a lot, it was good to meet new faces and was all a learning curve. I’d love to go back again next winter but I’m glad to be back on home soil and getting back on the board.

“This filly will get 1m4f and a cut in the ground is a big help to her. I think she quite enjoyed making the running and when they got to me at the two-furlong pole, she responded well and quickened.”

The rider completed a quickfire double with a hard-fought success on Atomic City (1/3 favourite) in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Browne McMonagle once again made all on the Sean and Bernardine Mulryan-owned colt, who dug deep to beat Abbotsford by a head.

O’Brien said: “Dylan is fit as a flea and strong as an ox, as always, and it is great to have him back.

“We learned a lot about Atomic City today as while he didn’t like making his own running, he was brave in fairness as he had to fight for it. He fought back and Dylan said he was saving plenty, so we think he is a nice horse who hopefully can step on from here. He should stay well.”