Curragh report:Septimus overcame an 11-month absence to make his first start since last year's Epsom Derby a winning one in the Group Three High Chaparral Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh yesterday. He was also the middle leg of a 104 to 1 treble for jockey Seamus Heffernan.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt powered to a length a half success over Fracas and, although Septimus was making up for lost time, he may now be quickly returned to the sidelines until the autumn. "He handles this sort of quick ground but after he ran in the Derby he came back a bit sore and so you would have to be a little bit afraid he might hurt himself on it," explained O'Brien.
"So we have a choice now between maybe going for the Coronation Cup or letting him off for the summer which is very possible. He will be a serious horse in the autumn," he added.
O'Brien and Heffernan had earlier combined to land the opening Listed Coolmore Stakes with the odds on favourite Warsaw who booked his ticket among a strong-looking Ballydoyle team for the two-year-old races at Royal Ascot.
Sunday's impressive Gowran winner Henrythenavigator is already as low as 16 to 1 favourite for next year's 2,000 Guineas and he looks likely to fly the O'Brien flag in the six-furlong Coventry Stakes.
"This horse today, and the horse who won in Newmarket (Achilles Of Troy), can run in the five furlong races," the champion trainer said. "Warsaw did it effortlessly there and still broke a minute for five furlongs which is a good time for a two-year-old here."
Heffernan completed his three-timer on board the Caroline Hutchinson-trained Kyles Bay who was a length too good for Mooretown Lady in the seven-furlong handicap.
It now looks likely that Teofilo won't be returning to action until the King George in late July, but a 2,000 Guineas triumph this season may be on the cards for the Jim Bolger team anyway after Creachadoir's return to winning form in the Tetrarch Stakes.
The colt easily managed to drop back to seven furlongs from a previous failure at a mile and a quarter to put three lengths between himself and the English raider, Mr Napper Tandy, at the end of the Group Three race.
"The Irish 2,000 Guineas is definitely on the agenda," confirmed Bolger afterwards.
Mr Napper Tandy's rider Darryll Holland received a four-day careless riding ban for an incident soon after the start of the race.
Bolger and jockey Kevin Manning were also hotly fancied to pick up the Athasi Stakes with the well-backed Modeeroch and a Group Three double looked likely when the filly powered past her stable companion Gaudeamus outside the furlong pole.
However, Michael Halford's 10 to 1 shot Eastern Appeal rallied impressively to overhaul the favourite by a neck and provide jockey Rory Clearly with just the second Group victory of his career. "She has started settling a lot better and we took a chance riding her close to the pace today. The main thing was that she settled and she was very game," said Halford.
Michael Kinane has a good record with the Waterford trainer John Kiely and they teamed up successfully again when King Rama pounced late to deny the favourite Balakan in the 10-furlong handicap.
Logan's Run, one of the 9 to 2 joint favourites, also pounced late in the bumper to beat The Black Lion by a neck and provide veteran trainer Joe Crowley with a one-two.
