Racing: Georgebernardshaw emerged as a possible Classic contender for Ballydoyle when successfully stepping up in class at the Curragh yesterday.
The Danehill Dancer colt will be considered for all the major 2000 Guineas and showed he was on the upgrade when bounding away from his rivals in the Listed Bank of Ireland Loughbrown Stakes.
The 15-8 chance, who won a maiden at this venue a fortnight ago, was always travelling ominously well. Aidan O'Brien's charge got to the rail inside the final furlong and quickened away to score by seven lengths from Croi Mo Ri.
O'Brien said: "He is an improving colt, but basically no horse would like that (testing) ground. Johnny (Murtagh) said he would have no problem staying a mile and we have the three Guineas as options, although no decision will be made just yet."
That victory provided O'Brien and Murtagh with some compensation for the defeat of US Ranger in the Castlemartin & La Louverie Studs Gladness Stakes.
An enterprising ride by Fran Berry saw Jumbajukiba land the Group Three contest. The Jessica Harrington-trained 12-1 shot was clear by halfway and never saw another horse as he quickened away to win by three and a half lengths.